Please spare me.
The child in my womb is the chief merchant's blood.
If he finds out about this, you will not get away unscathed.
Have mercy! Spare my child--
This is the chief merchant's will.
Fate brought us together.
A boy who lost his mother,
and a mother who lost her child.
Neither of us had the strength or the reason to live on.
Yet we became one another's reason to keep breathing,
bound by a shared purpose to fulfill.
And now,
do you intend to disobey the one who granted us this fate?
Did that person order
the elimination of Sim Jae-yi?
Where is this person?
What is it they want, and what is their true identity?
Have I not told you, you will find out when the time comes?
Don't lose sight of your duty.
Get rid of Chief Sim's daughter and adopted son and become grandmaster.
You must claim the Min Family's Guild so that in the future--
For that very future, let us keep Sim Jae-yi alive.
As a trap to ensnare her father.
She will prove most useful once she believes I am her brother.
Very well. I shall let you try to convince her.
However,
should she become a hindrance to our work, dispose of her without hesitation.
Yes, ma'am!
DEAR HONGRANG
I have just been informed of your true identity.
Soul Reaper.
What?
The assassins were annihilated.
If they fought him, that must mean he tried to hurt Jae-yi.
Actually…
Did you order them to dispose of him?
Forgive me.
What if your provocation of him had endangered Jae-yi?
Do not exceed your authority again.
Soul Reaper.
That is what you called him.
Why and how was he given such a name?
That is what brought you here at this late hour?
Why are you suddenly curious to know?
He was injured on our return from our great-uncle's.
It looked as though he was attacked.
What were you doing then? Did you see anything?
Did he say anything about what happened?
What do you mean "see anything"? Is there something that I must not know?
Tell me. You clearly know something.
Soul Reaper, as he tears out the hearts of men.
He was an assassin
notorious for his ruthless cruelty.
Then…
Yes. He is, therefore, a man of such danger that--
He likely has many enemies.
Or perhaps those aware of his past have been harassing and threatening him.
Are you… worried about him?
I suppose I am.
Why does he always seem to get injured?
Why does he seem forever wary, like a hunted man?
What does he have to hide, and why, at times,
does he appear so sorrowful?
I find myself oddly curious and concerned for him.
I worry for him.
But why?
Exactly. Why would I worry for him?
I have no reason to,
and that makes me more fearful.
What if my eyes are failing to recognize him…
yet my heart somehow knows it is him?
It seemed as though he carried this thing with him at all times.
I feel as though I have
seen this before.
You…
How did you know about this place?
I simply followed where my feet led me.
Or… is it that you once followed me here?
Is there a reason I must not be your brother?
Or do you simply wish I were not him, since I am not the brother you hoped for?
It is not my intention to rush you. When I sensed you approaching,
it got my hopes up.
I hoped you would be surprised to find me here
and that perhaps you may start to wonder…
"Could he be my brother?"
Then tell me.
Tell me about the life you led before coming here.
If you are truly Hongrang,
there must be a reason I find you so unrecognizable.
- Once I know, then-- - Then what?
The more you know,
the more unfamiliar I will appear.
How did you injure your leg that day?
What happened that night?
What happened to your arm?
Do not do that to yourself.
Others already claw at you from all sides as it is.
You need not turn on yourself also.
About that
sachet I carried as a child…
Goodness!
You remember that?
Well, only vaguely.
Good heavens! Indeed, that sachet!
Why, Mistress Jae-yi gave it to you.
How you treasured that little thing.
Where did that girl…
Where did my sister get that from?
Well, the chief merchant gave it to her.
It was an amulet when she was still in her mother's womb.
It is a family custom of sorts.
You actually had one exactly like that yourself,
but you lost it somewhere one day,
so you carried the one she gave you instead.
So it is given to a woman who is with child.
If all goes well,
things may work out quite easily.
- We are all deeply worried. - What an ordeal this is.
The patrons have severed ties with us?
I regret to inform you that, following the counterfeit incident,
patrons have expressed their distrust
and preference to conduct business solely and directly with Madam.
Chief Merchant Sim! Master Park, he…
Blinded by greed, he began producing
and peddling counterfeit art,
which led to the unfortunate incident the other day.
However,
seeing the chief merchant silently shoulder the blame for another's crime,
he grew remorseful
and ultimately took his own life after confessing the truth in a note.
The patrons, who had turned against you due to what is clearly a misunderstanding,
will now increase their spending with the guild.
That would be their way of apologizing and seeking redemption.
There. I have kept my end of the bargain.
Now it is your turn to do the same.
Perhaps I have grown fond of her after all.
The thought of her leaving makes me somewhat regretful.
I decided to have a dress made for her.
You dare!
You dare bring my daughter into your bargain?
Consider it a relief
that I asked for a dress to be made and not a casket.
Golly, I am in luck!
What is with this round?
- I am on a roll today! - You sure are lucky.
All right, take this.
Here. I bet two for now.
I sure feel lucky today!
Now, shall we have a drink?
You there. Looking for something?
Do you need help collecting on a loan?
Or has your beloved strayed to another?
If someone needs dealing with, I can render them a cripple for you.
That guy is all talk.
Come to me for no complications. I am your man.
Damn it to hell. Don't interrupt me while I speak.
What, you bastard?
Come on, you two.
- Calm down! - What is this?
Do you know a man by the name of Soul Reaper?
Soul Reaper?
Is he serious?
Why have you fallen silent? Do you really know nothing of him?
Well, you see…
You should go. We have no business with you.
We cannot tell you for fear of losing our limbs.
Looking for the Soul Reaper?
What a reckless young man.
He has no clue who he is.
Why are you dawdling? Deal the cards already.
Go again.
Just as I was hitting my stride.
She is not here.
I have returned from Jungchon.
- Did you look into it? - Yes.
It appears that Mun Gyu-ha was speaking only the truth.
I can confirm that he was in Qing, lending a hand in his uncle's guild.
Why has he returned to Hanseong?
He works as an interpreter and is here to facilitate a trade.
Right.
There is something I must do.
No, there must be another reason.
Investigate further and have someone watch his every move.
In times like these, we cannot afford even the slightest carelessness.
Yes, sir.
I believe it was around here.
This will save us.
Both you…
and me.
You.
What is it?
She was at the gambling den,
asking about the Soul Reaper?
What?
She disappeared?
Been somewhere?
I was feeling a little confined, so I went for a walk.
Tell me.
Did something happen?
Not at all.
He is an imposter.
The bastard cannot be real,
and you know it. You feel his murderous aura.
A person's true nature can never change.
No matter how harsh a storm one weathers, one's innate character does not change.
There is no way your brother would have such a murderous aura.
More importantly, we refer to kinship as "flesh and blood," do we not?
Before you can even comprehend it,
it stirs in your veins and settles deep within your bones.
Blood calls to blood.
Is that not how, at first glance, you instantly denied him?
Even if that is the case, do you really think I would believe you?
You will have no choice but to.
I have discovered the whereabouts of your real brother.
He was in Yanjing all this time.
It seems some rapscallions found your brother wandering that night,
kidnapped him, and then sold him to Qing.
His childhood and mother tongue are long lost to him.
There is, however, one name that he does remember.
"Jae-yi."
The name of his sister.
How unprincipled of the Mins' daughter.
Did you truly think you could fool me with such a far-fetched lie?
Why are you still here?
If you have tangible proof, you should take it to the guild.
You know why, damn it!
Do you know how ruthless the Soul Reaper is?
He would rip me to shreds before I could reach the gates.
So what do you want from me?
I want only two things.
The bounty for finding your brother and to repay the bastard…
in kind and then some.
Hand him over, and I shall prove him an imposter right there and then.
And, of course, I shall give you evidence and details of your true brother.
I found someone who knows of the Soul Reaper's childhood.
He grew up in Gangneung.
Where in Gangneung? Who raised him and how?
How did he become the Soul Reaper?
I sent someone there to find out just that.
Let me ease your burden.
Do not suffer alone in silence.
Sure.
And keep your hair tidy.
How unsightly.
Watching you recklessly surrender yourself to just anyone like that.
He is not just anyone. He is my brother.
And yes, I don't mind him.
This feels familiar and comfortable because he is my brother.
I suppose she would have acted differently if I really were Hongrang.
She would have considered me familiar and comfortable.
And now, that might just be possible.
That must happen…
and yet, why do I hesitate?
I hope that day will never come.
It is me.
Why are you here?
Could you go someplace with me?
Someplace where?
There is something I want to show you and something I must say.
It is exhausting.
Living in confusion.
My mind wavers several times a day. In fact, it wavers constantly.
I worry whether I am showing unnecessary concern for a mere imposter
or whether I have just been doubting my own brother.
In a way, I now hope that you are truly my brother.
In truth, I hoped you would offer me some undeniable proof.
But then, I falter and find myself turning back, retracing my steps.
Living in perpetual confusion has left me exhausted.
And so?
So…
I intend to stop.
Caught at last!
I finally have the bastard.
Prove it.
Prove he's an imposter.
It was all
a trick?
You sure are a despicable wench.
He saved you before, yet you bargained away his life.
Bring me the saw.
He will run amok once he wakes, so let us cut his wings first.
As you wish, sir.
Let me go!
Why, that…
It has been a while.
You have gotten prettier since I saw you last.
Get rid of him! Kill him, now!
Kill him!
Why tell me this? Do you trust me?
If he is speaking the truth, I could be an imposter.
What if I am deceiving you?
I told you.
I do not want you getting hurt.
Whether you are my brother or not,
I do not wish to lose you.
You, kill him!
Do it!
Damn you!
Bullseye!
Poison?
What is going on?
Who are they?
Let me get you out of here.
Who are they? You cannot take them on alone.
Stay put.
Just leave her be.
She has seen us now.
I said leave her be!
Who are you people? What is it you want?
They are my brothers.
They are my family.
I grew up with them.
This is the life I led.
This is the Soul Reaper you sought.
This is what I am.
Okay, I understand. Let us first treat your wound--
I am sorry…
that I am not the brother you had hoped for,
but I need you to stop.
Stop doubting me…
and pushing me away.
Just stop
and see me as your brother.
You dare lay a finger…
upon my sister?
Hand it over!
Here.
My precious front tooth.
Hongrang…
Hongrang!
- My future husband! - Hey!
- Let me go! - Stop, damn it.
- There you are. Come on in. - I said let me go!
Come in.
- I will bite your head off! - Hey, stop that!
Calm down, will you?
- I said let go. - Welcome.
You damn scoundrel. Just stay still, will you?
- He is handsome. - Stop that.
Be thorough and neat with the preparations.
Mistress Jae-yi…
- What brings her here? - Who knows?
Well…
it stings.
Well, endure it. It needs tending to.
Are you certain?
Yes.
Very well.
That is all the confirmation I need. I shall know him to be so.
I am sorry for confusing you as well.
Do not apologize. I am happy for you.
I am well aware of your suffering over the years.
It simply pleases me to know that you will find peace of mind.
Thank you.
But nothing has to change.
Just as Hongrang is my brother, you will forever be my brother.
Of course.
Sister.
I should go.
Let us go.
Grandmaster, what should we do now?
That is my question exactly. What should I do now?
If he truly is Hongrang,
I must relinquish the guild to him.
Yet if he is not…
A poisoned arrow, you say?
Yes, but he was immediately treated with an antidote.
He is also trained to endure such toxins, so please rest--
You should have killed her right then and there!
Surely, you have long known
the cause behind Hongrang's shift.
Having lost sight of his duties and putting himself in harm's way,
he is trying to save Chief Merchant Sim's daughter.
She must be removed.
Can you accomplish this, unseen by Hongrang?
Madam Min may take care of that matter for us.
Here we are.
It is a perfect hideout for two.
This is it.
Look carefully.
There is a loose rock here.
We used to write notes to each other and hide them here.
How adorable we were.
And we used to share sweets out here.
You know I do not care for sticky hands.
Some things never change.
Open up.
Sister.
What did you do to your lips? Did you stain them with rouge?
To look pretty for whom?
For you.
If you were ever to return, I wished to greet you looking my best.
I worried you might feel bad for me if I appeared too gaunt or ungainly.
But this color does not suit you.
What do you think?
You may be grown now, but I see you are still a child at heart.
Come. Let us go.
Let us stay like this…
for just a while longer.
Jae-yi.
Where were you?
It is somewhat brisk out.
Why, you have dirt on your clothes. How clumsy of you.
There.
You should pay your respects.
He is to be your father-in-law.
You cannot approve of this abrupt engagement.
Lord Choi is of noble lineage. Jae-yi is but a commoner and spinster.
Is it not suspicious?
What do you find so unacceptable?
Sorry?
Why are you upset that your sister, long past marrying age,
is marrying into a noble household?
Or do you have another prospect in mind for her?
- That is not-- - Then it is done.
This matter does not involve you. Pay it no more concern.
How does it not involve me? As her brother--
If you so insist…
you may read this.
The marriage agreement and deed of gift.
Nearly half of Lord Choi's fertile land will become the guild's with this union.
A party who breaches the marriage agreement
must compensate for it with a most extraordinary sum.
This also ensures that Jae-yi will not be mistreated.
So, as her brother, you have nothing to worry about.
Am I understood?
Recently, I have found myself fascinated by Seok's paintings.
The red he uses is so intensely striking.
It radiates a warmth that fills the air.
I hear the painter Du-ryeong has a penchant for using scarlet red ink.
I must confess, I studied a great deal before my visit.
Given your upbringing in the Min Family's Guild,
I thought you would possess refined taste.
I doubt I know anything at all.
I have never really cared for such things.
If that is so, how do you usually spend your leisure hours?
I do not do much.
My sole focus was finding my lost brother.
I would not dare to claim I understand, but I do empathize to some extent.
I, too, once lost someone dear to me.
Forgive me. This may be the first time you are seeing me,
but I have observed you on each and every one of my visits here.
That is why…
Why, those two make the perfect couple.
They are a match made in heaven.
How about we set the date while we are all here?
Most certainly.
They should wed before the first snow.
Indeed they should.
Put all else aside and investigate the man Jae-yi is to marry.
Yes.
For a young nobleman destined only for scholarly pursuits,
such callused hands are most odd.
And why there, of all places?
You are looking for a family to marry your sister into?
How about Lord Choi Myeong-seok's son?
Goodness! That household? Seriously?
Is there a problem?
Lord Choi's son has been married thrice already.
They say his first wife suffered from a serious illness and died.
His second lost her footing on her way to the temple and fell to her death.
After all that, he took in yet another wife,
but even she…
Disappeared?
Yes. Lady Ko is said to have been missing for over ten months now.
This household is accursed, I say.
I'd imagine Lady Ko is already dead.
She was already frail, and then she got a chronic disease.
She could not miss her medicine for fear of coughing until she passed out.
A disease of what kind?
Do you think I have not searched high and low for my own daughter?
Is there no place where Lady Ko could have gone into hiding?
A distant relative's, or…
Are you here to rub salt in our grieving wounds?
My deepest apologies, sir. But…
My daughter is dead.
How can you be so certain?
If she were alive, she would have at least written to her parents.
She may have her reasons for staying away.
Enough.
You should leave. We have already put it all behind us.
Excuse me. What remedy is there for attacks of suffocation?
I usually prescribe aucklandia.
But you can also try dried mulberry bark, bush cherry seeds, or ginseng.
Dear me, has someone else fallen victim to that merciless illness?
You know of others?
I do not know whose servant he is,
but a boy, about yay high, has been asking for medicine for months.
A boy?
I do not know if he is deaf,
but he never answers when I ask whose errands he is running.
There you are! Let me take that.
Wait here, okay?
Take care, child.
Here, child.
You have done well.
You may go now.
Try to sit up. It is time for your medicine. Here.
Take it. You must take it to live.
Come on, now.
There you go. Swallow it all.
Ye-yeong, run away! Run, now!
Take your medicine first.
The sound of painful moans,
the sight of oozing blood…
Freshly torn skin.
He always said that nothing the world had to offer was more delectable.
Stop that marriage at all costs.
If you should fail,
your sister
will certainly die.
Hurry up and come here!
It is good to see you.
Sir!
Congratulations.
My Lord!
Now the ceremonial exchange of bows.
The groom shall enter from the east.
There he is. He's walking out.
The bride's attendants shall bring in the bride.
Subtitle translation by: Jimin Choi