[Kkot-nim whimpers] I beg you to let me live.
- [tense music plays] - [Kkot-nim whimpers]
You must know that I carry the chief merchant's child.
Your punishment will be swift if you harm me. [cries]
I beg you to spare my child. [gasps]
[groans]
[somber music plays]
[blade slices flesh]
The chief merchant has spoken.
[Kkot-nim] It was fate
that brought us together.
I had lost a child, and you were orphaned.
Individually, we neither had the reason nor strength to live on.
However, when brought together, we found the will to forge a new path.
A shared purpose in fulfilling the task given to us.
My son,
do you truly wish to disobey the orders of those who gave you that purpose?
I was told to get rid of Sim Jae-yi.
Did my orders come directly from that person?
I have been loyal to their commands.
Yet I do not know their true purpose. And their identity is a mystery.
And I have always said that when the time comes, you will know.
[foreboding music plays]
You are to complete your task.
Get rid of Chief Merchant Sim's daughter and adopted son,
and take over as grandmaster.
Then you must take control of the Min Family Guild.
That is our future.
Our future depends on the daughter. His weakness.
Sim Jae-yi is more valuable to us alive.
She will prove useful against her father
once she believes that I really am her long-lost brother.
Very well. Make her believe it.
Soon.
However, the instant we suspect she's a hindrance to our mission,
you are to end her life.
[men] Yes, my lady!
[foreboding music continues]
DEAR HONGRANG
[music fades]
[gentle music plays]
I have been informed as to what you really are…
Soul Reaper.
[Mu-jin] What?
He killed all of them. The assassins are dead.
Did he do something to my sister?
If the assassins engaged in battle, she must have been in danger.
That is not the reason.
Did you… send the assassins to kill him?
I did, my lord.
What would you have done if things had gone badly
and my sister's life had been endangered?
[sighs]
You will die if you disobey me again.
[Jae-yi] Soul Reaper.
You said that is what people called him before.
I was wondering if the legend is true or just a rumor.
Ah. That is why you came.
It puzzles you and keeps you from sleeping?
Is there… a reason you are so curious?
Returning from our visit to our great-uncle,
I noticed that he was wounded.
It looked like an injury from an attack or battle.
Was there a fight during your travels? Perhaps thieves?
- Did he mention anything specific? - Were we in danger?
Did something happen that you two are hiding?
Tell me. Whatever it is seems to be causing you concern.
[gentle music continues]
"Hwi" meaning to rip,
"su" meaning life.
He was an assassin.
Particularly feared for his ruthless brutality.
- With a sword… - He is formidably dangerous. A killer.
So he would have enemies seeking justice.
And they could be trying to use his former life to their advantage
and pressure or threaten him as some sort of revenge.
- [music stops] - And this upsets you?
Do you worry that others would try to hurt him?
- Mm-hmm. - [gentle music plays]
I think they already are.
How else would he have gotten that injury on his leg?
Why is he constantly on alert, as if someone were after him?
Or like someone with something to hide?
Why does he appear wary and lonely?
I find myself thinking about him constantly,
and it worries me a great deal.
I find it confusing.
Are you afraid, then?
[exhales] Good question.
I…
have no reason to be afraid of him.
But… I suppose he does scare me.
Somehow.
I wonder why he is not familiar to my eyes…
yet my heart seems to have known him always.
[gentle music continues]
[music fades]
[gentle music plays]
[music fades]
[Hongrang] There was an object
he wore every day.
I feel as though
I might have seen it when I was young.
Huh?
[Jae-yi] You?
How did you know to come here?
I just followed where my feet decided to guide me.
Or… your feet followed me here for some reason?
Is there something that makes you think that I am not him?
Or is that you hope I am not?
Because I only disappoint you.
[exhales]
My actions confuse you.
When I noticed that you were trailing behind,
I admit I was relieved.
I was hoping you would be surprised to see I knew the way.
For a moment, I thought you could see me as you once did.
And that I had broken through your defenses.
What did you do before?
What were your days like before you were thrown into our lives?
If you truly are Hongrang,
then help me to understand why all traces of the boy I knew have disappeared.
- If you could explain-- - Then what?
Those lost years
cannot reconcile you with our childhood.
[Jae-yi] Tell me how you injured your leg on our travels.
My instincts know we were in danger that night.
And my eyes see you hide your arm.
There is no need to be ashamed.
Your situation in this household has always been precarious.
You should allow yourself some kindness.
[rooster crows]
Excuse me.
I want to know about the sachet I carried everywhere.
[gasps]
Young master! [gasps]
You… you remember it?
I think I wore it at my waist.
[gasps] My goodness, that sachet!
I was there when your sister gave it to you.
And it was your most cherished possession by far.
I understand.
[breathes rapidly]
But was she the one who had sewn it?
No, she wasn't.
It was her own amulet.
A tradition her father continued.
To protect the child in the mother's belly.
It is a family custom, you see?
Your father did the same thing for you, but you lost yours playing.
She was afraid you would lose your protection,
and as soon as she saw, she took hers off and gave it to you.
So it is given when a woman is with child.
[haunting music plays]
[breathes shakily]
This object,
I think it will make all the difference.
[music fades]
[indistinct muttering]
The patrons have severed their ties with the guild?
They've not severed all ties with us.
They have expressed that a breach of trust occurred
and that the incident has left them unsettled.
But they promise to remain loyal clients
if they can deal directly with Her Ladyship, master.
[door slides]
[man panting]
Lord Chief Merchant! Merchant Bak is dead!
[man panting]
[men mutter]
[ominous music plays]
[Yeon-ui] Driven by greed and selfish interests,
he had been producing and selling imitation pieces,
which, as you know, led to a most unfortunate chain of events.
However,
his guilt was stronger than his taste for riches.
The chief merchant taking responsibility for this man's own stupidity
was a burden for his conscience.
He then chose to admit what he had done in a letter
and take his own life.
His admission will make your patrons realize
that their accusations stem from a misunderstanding.
Your faithful clients will offer increased business to the guild,
as that will be their way of apologizing and seeking redemption.
You see? Your wife has kept her end of the bargain.
And now you will do the same, as we had agreed.
[paper rustles]
[ominous music continues]
Oh dear. Perhaps I have grown attached to her after all.
When I saw her ride out of the gates, I felt my heart pinch with motherly love.
Since then, I now think we should spare no expense for her wedding.
You dare!
She will not be used as a tool in your wicked dealings.
Consider yourself lucky, my lord,
that I asked for a wedding dress
and not an expensive casket.
[ominous music continues]
[grunts angrily]
[man 1 laughs] I win again!
[woman 1] You are aware it's your turn?
- [man 2] It's my lucky night! - [woman 2] You're playing so well!
All right, take this! [laughs]
[man 3] Here, I bet two for now!
[man 4] My luck is turning. I can feel it.
[man 5] I'm thirsty. First I drink, then we play.
Oh!
What do you want? Are you lost? Huh?
[man 6] Have you come to collect on a loan you'll never get repaid,
or do you need someone to punish your cheating partner? [laughs]
[laughter]
Your wish can be my command.
Tell me how much you want me to make them suffer. [laughs]
Shh! If you don't want anything messy, use my services. He is no good.
[man 6] You idiot. Be quiet when your elders are speaking.
- You shut your mouth, old man! - You lowly snake!
What are you trying to say?
- [coins jangle] - What's that?
Who… can tell me about the Soul Reaper?
Did he say "Soul Reaper"?
[clears throat] Uh, I need a drink.
I did not hear that.
[men sigh]
[sniffs, coughs]
Why are you all silent all of a sudden?
One of you must have heard of him.
Um…
You should go now. Your money's no good here.
If we tell you anything, we risk having our limbs and tongues cut off.
[man 7] This nobleman has no idea what he's getting into.
[man 1] What are you waiting for? Let's get back to the game.
- [man 2] Place your bets. - [man 3] Deal me good cards.
- [man 4] Shut your mouth and bet. - [man 3] I need good cards.
My first winning streak, and it's ruined!
[ominous music plays]
[Jae-yi gasps]
[metal scrapes]
[gasps]
[dramatic music plays]
[man 8] She's not here.
[exhales]
[music fades]
I did as you asked in Jungchon, my lord.
- Is what he said true? - Yes.
It is. Mun Gyu-ha has spent the last years in Qing, as he told you.
He went there to work for his uncle's guild.
I was able to confirm these facts with several of my sources.
And why has he returned to Hanseong?
He is also an interpreter. I am told he is here on trading business.
[Gyu-ha] Oh.
There is… a task that I must do.
No.
That is a cover for his true motives.
We must know the real reason he has come back here. I want this man followed.
We must be watchful. We cannot afford to be caught with our guard down.
My lord.
[gentle music plays]
I think it may be somewhere in here.
[exhales]
[grunts]
[gasps]
[gentle music continues]
This will save us.
Both you…
and me.
[music fades]
[gasps]
[breathes shakily]
[panicked breathing]
[door opens]
[footsteps approach]
[ominous music plays]
[panicked breathing]
You're alive?
[music fades]
What is it?
[scratching fabric]
She went to the village.
To ask if anyone knew the Soul Reaper.
What?
She's missing?
Where did you go dressed as such?
I went for a walk in the woods. I needed to leave these walls.
Did you meet anyone on this walk of yours?
Not at all.
[Bang-suk] He is an imposter.
That murderous bastard cannot be your brother.
You feel the bloody aura in his nature.
And you know as well as I do
that a man's true nature will always be revealed.
Because no matter how harsh a storm a man must weather,
his character will not change.
Your brother was a gentle boy. This man has the soul of a killer.
[Bang-suk chuckles]
But you don't need me to tell you that flesh and blood don't lie
because you feel it.
You do not recognize him as your family.
Your bones feel it, and your blood feels it.
Your instinct knows it.
Your insides do not recognize each other.
You knew immediately that he is not related to you, didn't you?
[foreboding music plays]
You tried to kill us.
Why would I ever listen to a word you say?
Because you'll have no choice.
I found the real one.
He has been in Yanjing all this time.
Thieving scoundrels found him that night wandering alone in the woods.
They brought him straight to Qing and sold him for a handsome price.
And not only did he lose all memory of his childhood,
but he also learned a new language and lost his mother tongue.
However,
there is one name that he does remember.
Jae-yi.
His one and only sister.
[gentle music plays]
[Jae-yi breathes shakily]
[gasps]
[Bang-suk] How unprincipled for a daughter of the Min Family's Guild.
Mm-mm.
You lie. I do not believe a single word of your far-fetched tale.
You would have gone to the guild.
If you are so sure that you found him, why did you not rush to my father's household?
You know very well why!
Do you know how ruthless the Soul Reaper's vengeance can be?
He would tear me to shreds before I got past the gates of the guild!
Enough talk! What do you want?
[gentle music continues]
[Bang-suk] Mm.
All I want from you is two things.
The reward money for finding young master Hongrang
and to make that imposter feel…
the pain he inflicted tenfold.
[tense music plays]
Turn him over to me
and I will reveal him as the bloodthirsty fraud that he is
before your very eyes.
And I shall also give you the information
that will allow you to reunite with your brother at last.
[tense music continues]
[sighs]
[music fades]
I found someone who knows about the Soul Reaper's childhood.
- They say he was raised in Gangneung. - Where in Gangneung?
Who taught him how to use a sword? And how did he become an assassin?
[sighs]
I sent someone there to find out more about all that.
Ah.
You can share your burdens, you know.
Whatever is weighing on your mind, you do not have to bear it alone.
Mm-hmm.
Your worries are making you unkempt, sister.
[gentle music plays]
Do you think this appropriate?
You give yourself over so easily. Were you not taught to be more discerning?
I am very discerning. I trust my brother.
Though it does happen easily,
because his aura is reassuring and familiar.
As only a brother's can be.
[Goldie barks]
[barking continues]
If I were her real brother,
she would have felt it.
The reassuring…
[Goldie barks]
…and familiar bond that they shared.
Hmm.
I think I have the secret to that, Goldie.
To gaining her trust.
And get her to see me as him.
But I would prefer to put it off.
[music fades]
[gasps]
[Jae-yi clears throat] It is I.
[Hongrang] What are you doing here?
I would like to know if you could come walk with me.
- Right now? - You aren't scared of the dark, are you?
Come. I want to share something with you.
[sighs]
I am weary
of always living in two worlds.
I feel that my mind is restless. At odds.
With the battle growing stronger each hour.
Am I right to worry incessantly that we have an imposter among us?
Or have I refused to acknowledge my own brother who has returned at last?
In a way, I did hope you were not an imposter.
I wished many times for your presence
to provide me with some sort of reassurance.
Only I could never feel that truth in my heart.
You did not erase the doubt.
My heart has never felt more lost. And the loss of hope is exhausting.
What will you do?
I will start…
by attempting to find my place.
[paper rustles]
[uneasy music plays]
[Hongrang breathes heavily]
[Bang-suk] He's ours!
[ominous music plays]
Now I will watch this bastard suffer.
The box first.
I want proof that what you said is true.
Ah.
[Bang-suk chuckles]
[laughs]
It was
nothing but lies?
You're a cold-hearted wench, aren't you?
He rescued you from a sure death at my hands,
yet you deliver him to me so easily.
You have the saw?
[man growls]
He will be angry once he comes to.
I want both of his arms cut off so that he cannot wield his sword.
That is a good start.
[Bang-suk laughs]
[Jae-yi] No! Let me go! [screams]
[Jae-yi whimpers]
[Jae-yi screams]
[dramatic music plays]
[Bang-suk splutters]
You again?
You have gotten prettier since I saw you last.
[yells] He insults me!
Punish him!
[man] Kill him!
[Hongrang] Did you share those thoughts because you trust me?
Because if he is speaking the truth, then you were right.
I am not Hongrang.
What would you do if I confirmed it?
I told you once
that I did not want you to be hurt.
Whether or not you are my brother,
I would be very sad to lose you.
[man yells]
[gasps]
[dramatic music continues]
[groans]
Quick! The bow!
[music fades]
[grunting]
Kill him!
Damn you!
[unsettling music plays]
- [gasps] - Excellent!
[laughs]
[tense music plays]
[grunts]
[Hongrang] Poison?
[Bang-suk laughs]
What is happening?
[gasps]
[Bang-suk] Who are they?
[dramatic music plays]
[assassins yell]
- [Bang-suk yells] - [man] We need to get you out of here.
[Bang-suk yells]
[tense music plays]
[music fades]
[Hongrang breathes heavily]
Who are those men? I will not let you face them alone.
[tense music continues]
Stay where you are.
- I ask you to leave her be. - But the girl has seen our faces.
[tense music continues]
- [assassin 1 yells] - [Jae-yi gasps]
[grunting]
[assassin 2 yells]
I said to leave her!
[tense music continues]
[grunts]
[groans softly]
[gasps]
[Jae-yi breathes heavily]
Who are you people? What do you want with us?
We fought together.
[music fades]
These are my brothers.
I grew up with these men.
This is the life that I led.
The Soul Reaper was trained with these warriors…
as a killer.
[groans]
Enough of that. We need to tend to this wound.
This is my life.
I regret that you do not see your little brother in me.
- Do not talk! - But for both our sakes…
I need you to stop doubting.
[gentle music plays]
Do not push me away any longer.
Let me try
to protect you as a brother would.
You dare lift a finger…
against my sister?
[music fades]
[intriguing music plays]
[Jae-yi gasps]
[young Hongrang] Give it back! I want it!
[young Jae-yi] Here.
My tooth is precious.
[gasps]
Hon… Hongrang.
[intriguing music continues]
[Jae-yi cries]
[woman] My future husband!
[laughter]
- Hongrang! - [man 1] Hey! Where are your manners?
- You're choking me! Let me go, idiot! - [man 2] That's enough!
We have waited for this day. No need to be shy. Come here.
- [laughter] - Please come in.
- [woman] You wanna lose your fingers? Huh? - [man 1] No, no, no!
Hey! No biting! [laughs]
You are acting like a silly girl!
- [man 3] Welcome. - [man 1] Stop!
Behave or he might never come visit us again.
- He's like royalty. - [woman] So tall. And handsome too.
[man 1] Shh!
[gentle music plays]
[Eul-bun's mother] Prepare everything as I showed you.
- [Eul-bun] The young mistress is here. - [man] What is this?
I don't know.
[music fades]
[Jae-yi blows]
[gasps]
Oh.
The paste stings.
Leave it.
The pain will subside.
[gentle music plays]
[gasps]
[groans softly]
[exhales]
[gentle music continues]
[chuckles]
[groans]
[chuckles]
[chuckles softly]
You're certain about this?
Mm-hmm.
Well then,
I do not need more than that.
I will respect your decision.
I regret that I may have caused you confusion.
There is no need for regrets. This was difficult.
I have seen how you longed to find him again and how you suffered.
You have been brave, and I am happy for you.
You deserve joy.
As do you.
But nothing has to change between us.
I'll always see Hongrang as my favorite little brother.
And I will always see you as my favorite older one.
Of course.
Sister?
Time to walk.
Hmm.
The woods?
[exhales shakily]
[music fades]
Lord Grandmaster, what should we do now?
That is the question.
What shall I do now?
My sister truly thinks that he is the young master.
Therefore, I will relinquish the guild to Hongrang.
But I still believe he is hiding something.
[uneasy music plays]
He was struck by a poison arrow?
Yes. But his wound was treated,
and our men are trained to withstand such toxins.
His life is not in danger, I assure you--
You should have killed her. You had the perfect opportunity at hand.
You see what is happening.
You must know why Hongrang is acting like a child.
Why he has lost sight of his purpose and is protecting this girl.
He's put himself at risk against his own for the chief merchant's daughter.
You will get rid of her.
Without my son's knowledge.
You do not answer to him.
[man] Respectfully, mistress,
this matter is likely being settled on our behalf by Lady Min.
[exhales]
[music fades]
[Jae-yi] Here we are.
Did we hide here when we were children?
Yes, we did.
See this?
There is a loose rock that covers a hole.
We would write each other secret messages and hide them here.
We thought we were so clever.
Such innocence.
[Jae-yi chuckles]
We would also sneak food from the kitchens and bring it to eat here.
[gentle music plays]
I have never liked having sticky hands. You know that.
[exhales]
I thought that would have changed.
Ah.
Jae-yi…
have you put color on?
Your lips look different.
You want to impress someone?
In a way.
I have always thought that if I ever saw my brother again,
I would try to look nice.
I would not want you to worry about how I suffered in your absence
if I am looking tired and plain.
Perhaps you do not need so much color.
[gentle music plays]
Do you like it?
[Jae-yi chuckles]
You have grown into a man, but you are still a young boy at heart.
I think we should go.
[gasps]
[Jae-yi breathes shakily]
Let us stay a while.
In our hiding place.
[gentle ballad plays]
[music fades]
[Yeon-ui] Jae-yi!
Where are you two coming from?
And on such a chilly day.
And you have dirt on your clothes.
Such a clumsy girl.
And now
pay your respects to Lord Choi.
You will soon marry into his family.
[uneasy music plays]
[Mu-jin] You cannot approve of this. Are you not suspicious of the motives?
Jae-yi is considered a spinster and a commoner.
Why would a nobleman such as Choi choose her?
Why are you not voicing your objection?
Why do you object so strongly to this union?
For her.
Why does the news of your sister's marriage cause you suspicion and concern
when she is past the age of finding a husband, let alone a noble's son?
Perhaps you have a match that better suits your interests?
- I only wanted-- - Your sister will marry Ju-yeol.
This does not concern you. Therefore you have no say in my decision.
I am Jae-yi's older brother. It is my concern.
[Yeol-guk] If you are worried…
these will ease your mind.
[paper rustles]
These are the marriage papers and partition deeds.
With this union, nearly half of Lord Choi's fertile land
will become property of the guild.
Should any clauses of those agreements be violated,
the offending party must compensate with an amount 12 times greater.
This will protect Jae-yi and ensure she is treated with respect.
Discard your concerns and your suspicions. This marriage is good for your sister.
Do you understand?
[exhales]
[man] Lately, I've become deeply captivated
by the works of the painter Seok.
The red he uses is striking in its intensity,
evoking a warmth that fills the air with just a glance.
The painter Du-ryeong has a penchant for using scarlet red ink sticks, I hear.
[chuckles]
I studied before coming here to learn about your household.
Since you have grown up surrounded by offerings from the guild,
I presume that you have an eye for fine things.
[exhales]
I do not know much about trading.
I have not taken an interest in my family's work.
I see.
You developed your interests in the leisurely pursuits?
Unfortunately not.
I had been searching for my little brother who went missing.
Ah.
I cannot presume to understand your suffering.
But my heart does sympathize with yours.
For I
once lost someone I held dear as well.
My lady, this may be the first time you are seeing me,
but I have had the good fortune of observing you often
when I have accompanied my father here.
Forgive me.
Those two seem to get along rather well.
An excellent pairing, it seems, Lord Choi?
An advantageous union. I suggest we set the date for the wedding quickly.
I'd be delighted.
We could arrange the ceremony before the first snow.
[Lord Choi chuckles]
[Lord Choi] A fine suggestion, my lady.
[uneasy music plays]
Put everything aside and look into this man Jae-yi is to marry.
My lord.
[music fades]
[intriguing music plays]
[Hongrang] It is unusual for the son of a nobleman
to have calluses on hands that do not know labor.
And why there, of all places?
[woman 1] You are looking for a family to marry Jae-yi into? [exhales]
Tell me about the son of Lord Choi Myeong-seok.
Lord Choi?
When so many other households exist?
What do you know of Lord Choi?
The son is cursed.
His first three wives have had great misfortune.
[uneasy music plays]
[woman 2] His first wife suffered from a severe illness and died.
The second lost her footing on her way to the temple
and fell to her death.
And, not long after, Ju-yeol insisted on taking a third wife.
And she disappeared into thin air.
- No one has seen her since? - No. Lady Ko simply disappeared.
Over ten months ago, they say.
I think there are bad things that go on there.
That man invites evil forces.
Lady Ko is probably dead. She was fragile to begin with.
If she did not take the medicine made for her,
she'd cough violently until she fainted.
The medicine? What was it?
[uneasy music continues]
I tried to find her.
Or what might be left of my poor daughter.
Is there a distant family member who might have given Lady Ko refuge?
- Or a close confidante? - [music fades]
You rub salt into the wounded hearts of grieving parents?
Forgive me, sir. I apologize.
My daughter left this world.
You know not that she's dead, only that she disappeared.
If she were still breathing,
then she would have written to let us know.
Or she could be afraid to reveal her whereabouts.
Enough!
I demand that you leave us. We want to grieve our daughter in silence.
Excuse me What do you recommend for shortness of breath?
Usually powder of bitter orange and licorice.
However, white mulberry root bark, almonds, and ginseng are a better choice.
Tell me, who has such a cruel illness this time?
Do you mean you have other patients with it?
I do not know the patient, only that a boy about this size
has been sent to pick up the medicine for months now.
Which household?
[pharmacist] I do not know. That boy is either mute or rude.
He does not answer when I ask who he works for.
Ah, the quiet messenger!
Let me take that.
Wait here as usual.
And you be careful with those.
[Lady Ko's father] There you are! Well done. Good boy.
You may go now.
[mysterious music plays]
Try to sit up. The boy has brought the medicine. Here.
[coughing]
[Lady Ko's father] Take it. You must take it to live.
Here it is.
Just a little. Yes!
[tense music plays]
[gasps, grunts] No!
[yells]
[groans]
- Ye-yeoung, you must get away! Leave here! - [Ye-yeoung coughs]
[grunts] You!
[gasps]
First the medicine, then we talk.
[tense music continues]
[music fades]
[Ye-yeoung] The sound of painful moans,
the sight of oozing blood…
[coughs]
…and skin freshly torn off the body.
He would often say that there was no more delectable sight to behold.
You cannot let that marriage take place!
Stop it all costs
if you care for her.
If you don't, that beast will kill her for pleasure.
[ominous music plays]
[indistinct chatter]
[woman 1] It's so beautiful!
[man 1] It's so wonderful.
So good to see you on this occasion.
- [man 2] Indeed it is. - [man 3] Oh my! Lord Choi!
[woman 2] Congratulations, my lord.
There is Lord Choi.
[ominous music continues]
Let us commence!
[music fades]
The groom shall stand facing east.
[indistinct chatter]
[tense music plays]
[Ju-yeol laughs]
- [Ju-yeol laughs] - [woman yelps]
Bring the bride out.
[tense music continues]
[Yeon-ui chuckles]
[dramatic music plays]
[music fades]
[dramatic music plays]
[music fades]
[gentle ballad plays]
[music fades]