That was how determined
the little slave boy Ttolbok was.
You keep walking down your path.
I will keep walking down mine.
You keep walking down your path.
Are you...
afraid to fall asleep?
LUCK
It's a letter.
LUCK
Dam, do you even know complex-looking characters like this one?
You didn't know, right?
You can't read, can you?
It's all your fault.
If you had read it right, we wouldn't have ended up here.
I will make sure
I pay for what I've done.
I'm sorry.
Your Majesty.
Why did you give Kang Chae-yun such an order?
Do you not know what path he intends to walk on?
Give this to Kang Chae-yun.
Your Majesty, this is the case file on Secret Roots.
Yes. Give this to Chae-yun,
and hand over the entire investigation to him.
Your Majesty.
Chief Scholar Jeong. Call Sam-mun and Paeng-nyeon.
JEONG IN-JI, CHIEF SCHOLAR
Why do you...
Get moving, both of you.
I will walk down my own path.
"Gun, na, mi, yok?"
Is this really the evidence Scholar Yoon tried to destroy?
SEONG SAM-MUN, SIXTH COUNSELOR
This is why he was always in the Type-casting Foundry.
He was looking for something to solve this clue.
Did you find out
what this means?
I'm not certain yet.
Not certain yet?
That means you have a general idea.
The types got mixed up in the fire,
but I put them all together and found out
that this is from Elementary Learning.
This is from Great Learning, and this is from Classic of Poetry.
However...
I don't know which book these types are for.
So, you're saying if it's a book that the Type-casting Foundry prints out,
there is no way you wouldn't know what it is, right?
Exactly.
So either they are for a very rare book,
or they may not be for a book at all.
Do you have any idea why His Majesty is acting like this?
I wouldn't know.
However,
I've seen him like this once,
about twenty years ago.
He was like this on the night
when he first met him.
GWENG
This is "gweng." It means "big."
GWENG
That's the last one.
Is that so?
What does this all mean?
GWENG
Wait.
Did you figure it out?
What is it?
Could it be...
What does "gun, na, mi, yok" mean?
Your Majesty.
It's Seong Sam-mun. He's...
What are you talking about?
The last letter that follows "gun, na, mi, and yok."
The one that got burnt away.
Yes. What is it?
It's one of sa, so, sol, song, shi, si, sil, and sing.
What are you talking about?
It could be one of swal, sa, swae, seok, seup, and sul.
You're talking complete nonsense.
What is all that?
"Swal, sa, swae, seok, seup..." What are those?
That only made my mouth water.
Yes, that's it.
Your Majesty.
The letter that only makes your mouth water.
That's it.
That only makes my mouth water?
Dental consonants?
ARTICULATED WITH THE TONGUE AGAINST THE UPPER TEETH
Yes.
Then,
what do you reckon "gun, na, mi, yok" is?
A velar consonant.
ARTICULATED IN THE BACK OF THE MOUTH
A coronal consonant.
ARTICULATED WITH THE TONGUE
A labial consonant.
ARTICULATED WITH THE LIPS
And a guttural consonant.
ARTICULATED IN THE THROAT
You're correct.
Then Your Majesty,
why did Scholar Yoon sort out Chinese characters per different sounds?
And why did he try to hide it before he died?
What does this have to do with the scholars' deaths?
What is this project that you are doing?
Follow me.
-Open the door. -Pardon?
Your Majesty. It's not the time yet.
GUN
NA
MI
YOK
SUL
GUN
Take a look.
River, gang.
Dog, gae.
Icicle, godeureum.
Maggot, gudeogi.
Tree, namu.
Stream, naetmul.
Horse block, nodutdol.
SUL
Pine tree, sonamu. Hand, son.
Pomegranate, seokryu.
Shovel, sap.
Why did you gather these words by gun, na, mi, yok sounds?
What on earth are all these?
All of these are...
These are the sounds in our language.
And these are
all of the sounds
classified by dental, velar, lingual, labial, and guttural consonants.
Why...
Why did you do this?
Wait.
It can't be, Your Majesty.
You're right.
I am making our very own characters.
Our own characters
that can represent our sounds.
Follow me.
Your Majesty, why do you wish to make new letters?
No one has ever succeeded in coming up with new letters.
Why do you think 'Phags-pa script disappeared?
Because it wasn't excellent?
No.
It's because letters must be formed naturally over thousands of years.
Why have Chinese characters dominated China and surrounding states?
They were formed over thousands of years,
and therefore, they are mankind's history themselves.
So how can you...
How can someone like you,
who has mastered phonology, be so reckless?
STUDY OF CHINESE CHARACTERS' SOUND
Why do you attempt to stray from the Chinese order
and go against history?
I wish
to get these letters confirmed
by you two.
Your Majesty.
What do you mean?
You two are members of Cheonji.
Why do you think I didn't tell you two about this
and made sure you stayed focused in studying phonology?
I have already come up with
most of the letters.
Starting tomorrow,
I will teach you those letters.
So, please,
put aside any prejudice or political opinions
and take a look
at my letters.
Then, come to a judgment.
Tell me if my letters...
go against history
or not.
Even if I conclude that they are not usable...
In that case,
I will abandon them for good.
I will never
distribute these letters.
Are you going to leave the fate of your project on our opinion?
It's not just you two.
There is one more judge.
No matter how much effort I had put into making these,
if you say
these letters would go against the history,
degenerate Joseon,
and not help my people at all,
I will discard them.
Just promise me one thing.
Promise that you will put in
all of your efforts and strengths
in coming to a judgment.
I just need you...
to promise me that.
That is Jeong Gi-jun.
Who is this?
The man who's presumably behind this case.
Behind this case?
Jeong Gi-jun...
This man is?
He was last seen when he was about 20 years old.
He has been missing ever since then.
He is probably leading the secret society.
The secret society? Do you mean this has happened before?
No.
They began to take action only recently.
They have never shown themselves until recently.
Therefore, most of the records
are based on Minister Jo's speculation, and nothing is for certain
Secret Roots is a firmly-established secret society.
What did you just say?
What?
I mean,
the name of the secret society.
Secret Roots.
The roots that are hidden...
Secret Roots.
Secret Roots?
-Get him! -Stop him!
Get off!
Let's go!
The pouch...
My father's will!
LEADER
SECRET ROOTS
The ones
who took my father's will
are in Secret Roots?
And...
they are...
behind this case.
Get up.
-Fire! -Run!
-Get him! -There he goes!
He's heading to the Totem Pole Forest
Get him!
SHRINE OF LORD MUNSEONG
What is all this fuss about?
The opinion poll might be the least of our problems.
The book which Scholar Huh received from Royal Guard Kang Chae-yun
was Mahavibhasa.
Mahavibhasa? Isn't that a Buddhist scripture?
How can a scholar of the Hall of Worthies sneak in Buddhist scriptures?
That's why I'm telling you this.
Recently, all of His Majesty's orders were against Confucianism.
Scholar Hyegang was also deeply worried about this.
Did you meet Scholar Hyegang?
Yes, I met him myself.
Why is a second counselor of the Hall of Worthies
so interested in a murder case?
And why did you meet Scholar Hyegang in private?
Why? Do you think I am a member of Secret Roots too?
Scholar Hyegang suffered hardships
just because he used to be a student of Lord Sambong.
He isn't the only one.
Everyone who had spoken up against the late King
suffered hardships.
Ever since then, the authorities including those in the State Council,
have lost their power.
And now,
we have no idea what His Majesty is up to,
and the scholars are dying.
Goodness, watch your words.
No.
We cannot just blame him.
Three of his fellow scholars have died,
but we do not know anything about it.
How does this make any sense?
Is His Majesty doing something in secret that none of us know anything about?
Do you honestly know nothing about this, Third State Councillor?
Yes, of course, I don't.
I don't know anything about this.
Your Majesty,
the ministers that are in Yeonwoljeong
-are still there... -Leave them be.
-Pardon? -Take back the order you gave
to the palace guards to keep their eyes on the ministers.
PRINCE GWANGPYEONG
Why aren't you saying a word?
My lord.
Did you not run into Lord Nam Sa-cheol of the Hall of Worthies?
He just stopped by.
He's the second counselor who was told to conduct the opinion poll.
Why was he here?
Let's go to Taepyeong Guest House.
TAEPYEONG GUEST HOUSE: A GUEST HOUSE FOR ENVOYS OF THE MING DYNASTY
Do you know anything about the weird happenings in the palace?
GI JE-YEON, ENVOY OF THE MING DYNASTY
I cannot put my finger on it yet.
I'm trying to figure it out.
Then do you know anything about His Majesty's secret project?
I'm not sure about that either.
However,
according to Chang Wei...
MING'S INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
...Joseon's spies who are in the Ming dynasty
are gathering Buddhist scriptures and musical instruments
to send back to Joseon.
The book which Scholar Huh received from Royal Guard Kang Chae-yun
was Mahavibhasa.
Buddhist scriptures and musical instruments?
Chang Wei is keeping a sharp eye for this.
I will let you know immediately when I find out something.
Yes, I appreciate your help.
By the way,
do you know a man by the name of Sim Jong-su?
Why do you ask me about Sim Jong-su?
I heard he met Scholar Hyegang.
Yes, he said he did.
I thought Hyegang
never meets a government official in private.
Did anything else seem suspicious about Sim Jong-su?
Other than that, nothing else.
However...
"However"?
He goes somewhere every night secretly.
Goes somewhere? Where?
I don't know that.
The men of Chang Wei always lose him near Banchon.
Hence, Gyeon Jeok-hui, the second in command of Chang Wei
will take action herself.
Buddhist scriptures, musical instruments, and Sim Jong-su's whereabouts...
All of those sound ominous.
You're right.
And Sim Jong-su even brought up Secret Roots
in front of Minister Jo Mal-saeng.
What if
someone finds out you were a part of Secret Roots...
I will find them first.
Secret Roots
and their leader, Jeong Gi-jun.
Your Majesty, let me speak up as the commandant of the palace guards.
Even if we were to set aside whatever Kang Chae-yun's objective is,
are you sure telling a mere royal guard everything about Secret Roots
would not lead to
any security problems?
What are you talking about?
Does Kang Chae-yun have an ulterior motive?
Your Majesty.
This is irrational.
"Irrational"?
Are you saying I've gone too far?
I told Sam-mun and Paeng-nyeon everything about our project
and told Chae-yun everything about Secret Roots.
Do you think that was too much?
I have bad news for you.
I haven't gone far enough tonight.
What do you think it is, So-i?
Your Majesty, must you take things this far?
Your Majesty, do you trust Garion that much?
This is necessary and must be done.
Your Majesty.
So-i, head over to Banchon.
Why are you going to Banchon so late at night?
Huh Dam, Yoon Pil, and Jang Seong-su.
It seemed like they all had a special tattoo on them.
They all had the same tattoo?
Jang Seong-su's body is still in the Autopsy Office.
My lord.
You go ahead.
I'll be back soon.
Yes, this was the place.
Who dares to wield their swords in front of a shrine?
He'll be coming today. Make sure you keep guard.
Yes, ma'am.
Who are you?
You are...
You said you were Lord Sim Jong-su when we met at the market last time.
Why did you follow me?
I wasn't following you. There must have been a misunderstanding.
A misunderstanding?
I just drew my sword because I felt animosity over the walls.
I wasn't planning on doing anything.
It seems like you're the one who gave off animosity.
Nonsense.
What's your name?
I've already told you mine.
So I think it's in order for you to tell me yours.
I'm Gyeon Jeok-hui, an interpreter at Taepyeong Guest House.
I should get going.
Are you all right?
Did you see that?
Yes. She is definitely not just an interpreter.
You're right.
If she had come in one more chi,
she would have cut my face.
She must be a member of Chang Wei, probably Second-in-command or higher.
I'll look into this.
Let's go back for today. We're not in luck.
Gyeon Jeok-hui...
How could a scholar like him be highly-trained in martial arts?
He isn't just any ordinary man.
Followed?
Someone from Taepyeong Guest House followed Scholar Sim?
I don't know the details, but that's what they said.
That is why he wants to cancel the meeting for tonight.
I never knew Taepyeong Guest House would get involved. This is very bad.
When will Scholar Hyegang give us his answer by?
When I met him, he said he would tell us by today or tomorrow.
Make sure there aren't any troubles
when Scholar Hyegang comes here.
-Pay extra attention. -Yes, ma'am.
Pyeong?
Is that you, Yoon Pyeong?
Yoon Pyeong?
Who's there?
Follow him.
Pyeong... Yoon Pyeong.
Was there anyone by that name in Banchon?
Isn't that Kang Chae-yun?
Why is he here?
HALL OF WORTHIES
What are you talking about?
I cannot carry out the opinion poll
because of my chronic disease.
A chronic disease?
Since when did you have a chronic disease?
Well, it's...
Goodness. What is it?
Tell me the truth.
Deputy Chief Counselor
The thing is...
Last night... It was probably around five past the second period.
AROUND 11:00 P.M.
I know because I heard the drum twice and the gong five times.
Then he flew into the night sky and ran away.
There's a rumor about how the killer of Scholar Yoon flew around.
It must be him.
He left me this letter.
Around five past the second period last night,
an unidentified assailant broke into Second Counselor Nam Sa-cheol's house
and pinned that letter on the desk
with a knife.
"Everyone who takes part in the King's rebellious project
will be killed."
Your Majesty.
Three scholars have already been killed.
And I almost lost another scholar last night.
Your Majesty, why are you conducting this opinion poll?
I wish to hear people's opinion on the tax law reformation.
Your Majesty.
What on earth did you tell Huh Dam, Yoon Pil, and Jang Seong-su to do?
Huh Dam was studying old maps.
Yoon Pil studied types,
and Jang Seong-su burnt inappropriate books.
I am talking about the secret orders.
The ones you have given them.
Everyone knows
that everything is happening because of those secret orders.
As the deputy chief counselor of the Hall of Worthies,
I will not let anyone go and conduct the opinion poll
until you reveal your plans.
Banchon?
You're going to go live in Banchon?
Yes. It's great.
The rent is cheap, and I get to eat a lot of meat.
And it's beef. Think about it.
Even so, how can you go and live with such lowly people...
Goodness, I should just kill myself.
-I was just referring to their status. -You should work on this.
The lowly status.
I wasn't talking about their lives.
I didn't say anything.
Right?
Did you get a room?
What brings you here?
It's you.
You have something to do with those men.
Why do you look at me like that?
I'm going to live here starting today.
He must be her right-hand man.
Please help me out, all right?
You know that royal guards have the best connections, right?
Let's go.
He seems awfully familiar.
My goodness. There's my new neighbor.
-I'll help you out from time to time. -Where's the room?
I'm cleaning it out. Take a seat and wait right here.
There isn't a better room than this one.
Five people passed as first place in the state exam
-after they drank here. -Really?
This place brings you luck. It cannot get any better.
-Welcome. -Come in.
-Hey. -My goodness.
Four guys, four nyang.
I'll take off what you owe me. Here.
-What do you mean? -Here, two nyang.
I thought I paid you back a month ago,
didn't I?
Darn it.
Look, he's taking a commission for bringing customers.
That's a talent. He should be given an office.
Is that guy really a nobleman?
-You mean that guy, Han? -Yes.
Well, he is a nobleman.
He came to take the state exam, but he failed in every one.
He was too ashamed to go home, so he decided to stay.
We can say that he's of noble birth.
What about that guy who's crouching down over there?
I've never seen him before.
That guy?
Hey, look.
Hey. Do a rooster.
Do a hen.
Hey, do a rutting pig.
You're a pig!
He always crosses the line.
Did he just make all those sounds with his mouth?
Yes, he did.
He must have something in here.
He can mimic all the sounds of this world.
Even His Majesty calls him in from time to time.
He must be amazed by him too.
I can answer any questions you have while you stay here.
But even I don't know anything about that guy.
-I won! -He's a Jurchen.
Wait, was he a Khitan?
Some say he's from Mongolia, and some say he's one of the Gokturks.
Look at him.
I don't like him.
He's weird.
ROYAL ACADEMY
Hello.
Does Nam Sa-cheol's incident
have anything to do with us?
I don't know anything about that.
First, Taepyeong Guest House follows me, and then there is this unknown incident.
I must see the Leader. Tell him that on my behalf.
The Leader does not wish to see you yet.
You should wait for his order.
Ms. Dodam. The products are here. Please take a look.
Yes, I will.
Excuse me.
She is completely arrogant.
Our letters. Our language.
This is frightening.
It makes us go against the Chinese.
Scholar Seong.
What are you doing here?
Can't you tell?
I'm grabbing a drink in the middle of the day.
Did you solve the mystery behind gun, na, mi, yok?
Oh, that? I'm not going to solve it.
I decided not to.
I must have been crazy.
What does that have to do with me?
Right.
GUN, NA, MI, YOK
You can take this too.
Don't you know that three scholars died because of that incident?
It's not like I'm dead.
You should forget about it too.
Getting a drink from the king feels good, but it doesn't mean much later on.
I persuaded him to give an order
for the Royal Investigation Bureau to take this case.
Is that so?
Now that the case is given to the Royal Investigation Bureau,
I'll direct the investigation myself as Supreme Commissioner.
What if I took the case?
You?
No one wants to bring it up,
but this has something to do with Secret Roots.
You probably wouldn't admit it,
but there is no one who knows well about Secret Roots as I do.
But you are not a part of the Royal Investigation Bureau anymore.
It's not impossible if you give me your permission.
Thank you for your cooperation.
What are you doing?
I am going to move into Banchon too.
Why didn't you tell me about renting out a room?
You can come after you get some rest.
I'm going immediately.
Is this because of that woman, Yeon-du's mom or something?
Don't change the subject.
You moved there because you're onto something.
First off, get well.
Things will get really dangerous from now on.
This is nothing.
Have you forgotten?
It's me, Cho-tak.
I carried you on my back and ran after I got hit with three arrows in Hoeryong.
This isn't Hoeryong.
Don't strain yourself and leave it to me.
This now concerns me, too.
I always get my revenge.
That little jerk.
I'll catch him, and kill him.
Kang Chae-yun. You were here.
Were you looking for me?
Did you hear about how this idiot stuck a knife at Lord Nam Sa-cheol's home?
Yes, I was going to talk to you about the investigation of that case.
No, you don't have to.
Not you. It's none of your business.
The case was handed over to the Royal Investigation Bureau.
Lord Jo Mal-saeng is investigating the case himself.
So lose all interest.
Don't go anywhere near the Royal Investigation Bureau.
Understand?
Why aren't you two answering me?
Okay, fine.
We won't go anywhere near the Royal Investigation Bureau. Don't worry.
The Royal Investigation Bureau?
Do you know anybody there?
Of course.
I do, but...
Okay.
Can you find out how the investigation for Lord Nam's case is going?
Okay. I get what you mean.
But both of us should not get involved with the Royal Investigation Bureau.
Will you do it or not?
He's going to give you pork, you pig.
You're the pig. I'll beat you on your wound.
Come on.
Fine. But it's not like I'm doing this for the meat.
Then?
You have to give it to me.
I will, you pig.
Is that all?
Yes.
I'm just glad that I'm alive.
Just telling you this story makes me frightened.
I'm so sorry to trouble you with this case in your later years,
but I've heard all about your reputation, so I am a bit relieved too.
But something seems odd.
What do you mean?
You are the victim.
But why are your eyes shaking in anxiety?
Pardon?
Were you doing something that can cause you trouble
on the night of the incident?
Do not be a penny-wise and tell me the truth.
I'm not here to arrest you.
I'm here to arrest the culprit.
Lord Jo.
The truth is...
He put a knife on my neck from behind.
So I couldn't see his face.
But I'm sure it was him.
It was the guy who broke into the palace and flew around.
Is anybody outside?
Yes, my lord.
Bring some vinegar.
Pardon? Vinegar?
Hurry up.
Yes, my lord.
Those noblemen are all the same.
Scholar Seong must have gotten scared after Lord Nam's incident.
But why Banchon?
What did you find out?
This has something to do with Ms. Dodam in some way.
She's going to be really bothered to see us living here.
What is this?
A hair strand that I put between the door.
Hey, good job.
They went through here too.
Look at these people. It's only my first day.
My goodness.
You were in.
Do you want a drink?
Sounds great.
-We'll need your help. -Sure.
And it's nothing difficult.
It's meat.
Fresh meat. Freshly killed beef.
Eat up.
I'll make sure I bring you the best ones.
You're good with meat, you have a great character,
and you're even good at medical arts.
Goodness, it's not like I studied medical arts.
But I do know a lot about it.
If you know a lot, why'd you give snowbell and ziziphus seed to that court lady?
My goodness.
I won't do that ever again.
Don't get scared.
I'm not telling you off right now.
Think about it. What will happen to her if you keep giving her bad stuff?
Am I wrong?
You're right, but...
She couldn't sleep.
I know how painful that is. I felt really bad, so...
Guilt is a really scary thing.
-Guilt? -Yes.
-That court lady? -Yes.
She said her entire family died
because she showed off.
Even after a long time, it's probably still really hard to take.
Yes.
I know how she feels.
Of course.
That happened to me too.
I showed off my little talent, then...
Goodness, why am I feeling sorry for myself?
Have another drink.
Sure.
Here.
It's him.
He went through my room.
What?
Look. I put some yellow wax right here.
And I saw yellow wax under Garion's fingernails.
That means... That bastard is...
What is this?
Pig's blood.
The red blood turns blue when it hardens.
Then when it meets vinegar,
it stands out like this.
Then this must belong to...
A butcher.
That means...
Hey, Chae-yun.
The case just took a weird turn.
-The Royal Investigation Bureau? -Yes.
Why?
The knife that was found at Lord Nam's house.
It was a bit bigger than a regular cooking knife,
and a bit too small than a warrior's sword.
And?
Then Lord Jo suddenly said,
"Bring some vinegar."
And...
Pig's blood?
How did you know?
Gosh, this guy knows everything.
Anyway, that knife was used
by a butcher.
There is only one butcher
within the city gates.
-Hey. -Me?
Have you seen Garion?
Isn't he supposed to go get a cow today?
Excuse me, my lord. I actually...
My goodness.
What?
When I hit it from the top, it sounds like this.
When it gets split, it sounds like this.
Goodness, this is tough.
You.
-Me? -Is there a butcher named Garion here?
Where is he?
Did he do something wrong?
Goodness. What is it?
Are you Garion, the butcher from Banchon?
Yes, I'm Garion.
What is it?
That knife was missing from the butchery.
Is this your knife?
It does look like mine.
Why is that...
You. How dare you do something so wicked to Lord Nam?
Arrest him immediately!
-Yes. -Yes.
-Get him. -Beat him.
My goodness.
What is going on?
What are you talking about? I don't know anything about this.
Your knife was found on the scene. Don't try to lie your way out.
Give up and get arrested.
No!
Darn it. Don't just stand around. Follow him!
-Yes! -Yes!
-Go! -Go!
Get him!
-Get him! -Get him!
-Go! -Get him!
He's probably hiding somewhere near. You must arrest him!
Are you
a member of Secret Roots?
What? What are you talking about?
First. You were at Lord Nam's place the same night that incident happened.
Second. You went through my room just now.
And third. The knife found at Lord Nam's place was yours.
Can you deny any of these?
My lord, I can explain.
Of course, you should.
I was at Lord Nam's place on that night
because he had a memorial service, and he wanted some beef.
As you know,
beef is banned right now, so he probably didn't tell anyone.
And I went through your room
because Commandant Mu-hyul ordered me to.
The commandant?
He told me to keep an eye on everything that you do.
You can go ask him.
Then what about the knife? What happened to your knife?
That knife is indeed yours.
My knife went missing that night.
Do you expect me to believe you?
I'm the only butcher within the city gates.
Why would I do something like that with my knife unless I'm insane?
Then why are you running away?
You can explain this to them and prove your innocence.
I'm not a nobleman or a scholar-official.
I'm not even a commoner. I'm a butcher.
When a butcher gets arrested,
that means he's just good as dead.
Don't you know that?
Not all lives have the same value.
My life isn't any better than a fly's.
To them, our lives aren't worth shit.
Don't you know
how such lowly lives get abandoned and trampled on?
Goodness.
What? Seok-sam. What happened, Seok-sam?
No one's life is lowly.
There is...
no such thing as a lowly life!
If you truly are falsely accused,
I won't let you die under a false accusation.
My lord.
Over there!
My goodness!
Did you
pass on my order to Garion last night?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty. Garion was just arrested by the Royal Investigation Bureau.
What happened?
Subtitle translation by Eun-sook Youn