12 years later
Nguyen Vu. - Yes, master?
Tell me, how did you acquire that stance? - I...I don't know.
Could you demonstrate that to me again? - Yes, master.
I see, you still do not know how to use it properly.
Remember, one must master a technique in order to utilise it.
Master, how did you do that?
Don't worry, it is in your grasp.
Halt! Do not touch that statue!
You dare?
Nguyen Vu! - You must stop!
But master, they have broken the jade statue of the Goddess of Mercy.
Heaven have mercy.
You insolent fools!
How dare you obstruct Royal officials over a mere statue?
Do you want me to set this pagoda ablaze?
Forgive me, your Excellency, but this jade statue
was a gift from the former king, Thai To.
Your Excellency, we are unable to find anything suspicious.
Move!
Father! No! Mother! - Be still!
Execute them!
Nguyen Vu, Nguyen Vu!
Yes, master?
Something is bothering you? - I...
I recognised him.
That court official from yesterday,
it was him that ordered my parents' execution.
Master, why must they suffer such a terrible face?
Perhaps it is time for me to tell you the truth.
What truth?
That you are the grandson and last descendant of the former Royal Chief Adviser, Nguyen Trai.
Your grandfather had a concubine named Nguyen Thi Lo.
Everything began when she was appointed as a lady-in-waiting.
During one of his tour, the King stopped at Con Son
where your grandfather lived.
There, the King ordered Thi Lo to accompany him on his trip.
On the return to the capital,
the King and his escorts rested at Le Chi Vien.
That night, only Thi Lo was in attendance at his side.
But in the next morning, the King was found dead in his chamber.
Halt!
Later, Nguyen Thi Lo and your grandfather were condemned for the murder of the King.
Execute them!
Moreover, 3 generations of the Nguyens were also involved and put to death.
But on that same day of your grandfather's execution,
a sinister event took place in this pagoda.
A few days later, you were brought here
by one of your grandfather's servant.
By taking me in, did you not fear that it might concern yourself?
Your grandfather and me were once close acquaintances.
I could not bear to witness his family's destruction.
Besides, there is one thing that has perplexed me for the last 12 years.
Injustice?
Injustice
Was my grandfather really wrongfully accused?
I do not know for sure.
However, anything could go in the royal court, be it for power or wealth.
It might just be fate after all...
No, it is Heaven's will that I know the truth.
I must clear my family's name!
Help yourself. - Thank you. Do you recognise this man?
His beard looks like this.
He is a high-ranking court official.
Any official can have beard like this.
How can I tell from such a rough sketch like this?
Hey, hey, hey! - Yes? '
Pay first! - Sorry.
Wait! This is too much!
Don't tell me you just came off the mountain?
Yes.
I'm really sorry but I'm in a hurry. - You!
Put them back first!
What's wrong? - No.
Hey, watch it! Don't break anything or you'll have to pay for it.
Here you are. Can I go now?
Move aside!
Out of the way! Out of the way!
Get out! - Halt!
Your Highness. - How could you threaten her? Forgive me, sire.
I'm sorry. Are you alright?
Assassins! - Quick! Protect his Highness!
Is everything alright? - I'm fine, sire.
Thank you for saving me. But you're wounded!
Let's have your wound tended at my place. - Thank you, sire.
You're lucky. The wound wasn't deep.
It just take a little gel to get you recovered - Thank you very much, doctor.
But who exactly is that nobleman?
He's Quan A Vuong's son.
And who is Quan A Vuong?
Quan A Vuong was the elder brother of the former king, Thai Tong.
Wait! Where are you going?
Why do you seem so hurried? Why don't you rest a bit more?
Thank you, milord. I've already felt better.
Besides, I got urgent matter needed to be taken care of. Goodbye, milord.
You're afraid that I'll give you up to the court?
It was your birth mark that gave you away.
You are Nguyen Trai's grandson, are you not?
You don't seem well.
12 years ago, I should have been executed together with my family.
Why you...?
Vu, it's not that I'm hiding you.
I just think that my uncle's murder wasn't clearly solved.
Even some court officials seemed to have different opinions on this matter.
What did they think? - Your Highness, the Justice minister Le Dai Nhan wishes your audience.
Tell him I'm not feeling well. - Yes, milord.
Your Highness, how are you feeling?
I've heard that somebody tried to assassinate you.
That's why I've hurried here to greet you.
Thanks for your concern. I'm actually fine.
To be able to see you like this, I feel so relieved.
I'll try my hardest to find the perpetrators.
Then I shall wait for your good news.
Very well, sire. I shall bid my leave.
And who is this gentleman? - He's one of my bodyguards.
Is there anything wrong? - Absolutely nothing, sire. Goodbye.
To have him assassinate in daylight, you were really out of your mind!
Forgive me, your Highness. I just thought it was a good chance.
So why is he still alive?
I'm afraid somebody didn't really try his best.
Please forgive me, your Highness.
I've always been your loyal subject.
Thuong Tu is planning to rebel.
Whoever is on his side is my enemy.
I'll definitely bring you his head.
Cut it, you useless fool! You're all talk!
And what about that blood letter?
How come I haven't heard about it for such a long time?
Your Highness, I've been doing my best to look for it.
It's just that Thai Kinh is too vast. - Silent!
Yes, milady.
Do you know what would happen if that traitor Dinh Thang's letter
fell to my enemies' hands?
Your Highness,
please assign the search for that letter to me and my men!
Whoever is in my way shall suffer!
Regardless of what it takes,
you have to bring me that letter!
Yes, milady! - Assassin! Assassin! Assassin!
Put me down!!
Do you hear? Are you deaf or what? Put me down!
Can't you be more gentle? - I just did what you told me!
Besides, you didn't tell me to be gentle. - You...
You...you are that buffoon who dropped my lanterns, aren't you?
Well, I didn't think that I'd meet you again like this.
But why do you want to kill the Queen Dowager? - Not your business.
Hey, is everything alright?
Damn! The arrow was poisoned. - What are you doing?
I must suck the poison out, if not... - Get away!
I'd rather die than let you do it! - But you really will!
You dare? - Don't take me wrong! I mean you no harm.
God forbid, if I really did, I'd be... - Shut up!
You can still ramble while I'm dying?
Just do it!
It was your fault! How can I go out in this outfit?
Even if your clothes weren't torn, Would you really want to parade in front of the soldiers?
I don't care!
Hey!
Since you did it yourself, you have to make it up to me!
To you? - Yes, get me some new clothes.
How could she get angry like that?.
Anyway, she does look a bit pretty.
Oh, and smells quite nice.
Indeed.
Come here, gentlemen! Wanna have some fun?
Lookie here! My prince charming!
Excuse me, do you have... - Yes, yes, yes.
We have everything here. Come and have a look!
That's great!
Just sit tight and be a good boy! I'll get you some food and drink.
Drink? I just want to... - Yes, yes, I know.
Just sit tight!
Quick, please.
Huh?
How much is this? Never mind, just take it all.
What are you doing? Stop! Give me back my clothes!
Here you are. Put it on! - Impossible, I can't wear them!
You lecherous pig! Eat this! Eat this!
Stop it! You got it wrong!
Wrong? Was he trying to harm you - Him?
Well...well...yes, that's him! - What the hell did you say?
That's right! Let's beat him! - Hold it! I was only helping her!
Is that true?
Sister? - Yes...
Please forgive my manner!
So you two are sisters?
So that's why. - Why what?
You both act before you think! - What?
There!
Thank you for saving my sister.
It was nothing, you don't have to act like that. Let's go home!
Look! This is everywhere in the capital!
Let alone leaving this capital, you can't even leave this hole!
I know how to get her out.
Trust me!
Halt!
What is it that stinks so much? - It's manure.
Do you want me to open it? - Don't! Just go!
Thank you. - It's disgusting!
Stop!
Let me out! I'm dying in here! It stinks so much!
This girl.
To think she could do something like that, I nearly went crazy.
Fortunately, you were there to help her. - It was nothing really,
Please don't mind it.
But why Hoa Xuan wanted to kill the Queen Dowager?
Sorry, I didn't mean to pry.
Forgive me if I made you feel uncomfortable.
It's not that I don't trust you It's just...
It pains me every time I remember it
12 years ago, a terrible event happened to my family.
We used to have an elder sister.
One day, she went mad for no apparent reason.
Blood will spill! This kingdom will fall!
Do you hear me?
Blood! So much blood!
Move! Move!
The soldiers are coming!
No you can't! You can't take my daughter!
Give back my daughter!
Shut it, will you! Just shut it!
That night, my parents were also murdered.
Fortunately, we were rescued by a martial artist.
His name was Vuong Thien.
After a long search, Vuong Thien and I,
we found out who was responsible for my family's tragedy.
It was the Queen Dowager!
And you? Why did you spy on her?
My family also felt to her hand.
How come?
I'm sorry but this story...
I can't tell you the details.
But the fact is we have the same enemy.
We may be on the same road but our direction may not be the same.
What do you mean?
There was a time, all I could think of was revenge.
I didn't think what would come after revenge.
But now I know. It just means more sorrow and hate.
And what about the dead?
I think what my parents would want was us living peacefully.
So...can I get going?
I want to promise me one thing. What's it?
You know what I mean, - You mean...what?
What is it? - Well...
Hm?
Ah, ah
You mean that?
You swine! - What are you doing?
Don't you dare to tell this story to one soul! Understand? - I won't.
I won't talk to anybody about this.
Not yet, you have to swear! Do it! - I swear.
If I tell this to anybody
I shall be quartered and hanged! Good enough?
Listen well!
Don't you even remember it, think about it and imagine it!
If not, I will... Alright, I get it!
I will not remember it, think about it and imagine it.
Are we good?
You'd better keep that promise.
Even if I don't, will you know it? You!
You are my only family now.
What would I do if something happened to you?
Can't you just drop it? Everything's in the past now.
I just want you to lead a normal life.
Do you understand me?
If you want it that much, just live it yourself. Me, I can't rest until I revenge our parents' death.
No matter what it takes, I will do it!
Milord, are you really planning a rebellion?
Me? Rebellion?
In the Queen Dowager's eyes, everyone is traitor.
First, she'll have me killed.
Then, she'll get rid of other royalties who are in line for the throne.
That's her master plan. - What will you do then?
I secretly made a pledge with one of my cousin.
He is Lang Son Vuong, Le Nghi Dan.
I think he'll make a worthy ruler.
The former Crown Prince Le Nghi Dan? - Yes.
Some time ago, the Queen Dowager manipulated the former King
into banishing Nghi Dan.
Moreover,
when she gave birth to the new prince, Ban Co,
there were rumours that Ban Co was not of royal bloodline.
If that was true, it would be a grave disgrace to this kingdom.
Does it, by any chance, concern the blood letter?
How do you know about that letter?
Yesterday night, I overheard the Queen Dowager and her men
discussing about a search for the letter.
So the rumour about the letter is true after all.
What rumour?
And who was Dinh Thang?
Dinh Thang and Dinh Phuc used to be the Queen Dowager's trusted eunuchs.
But 12 years ago,
they disappeared mysteriously
after the former King's body was brought back to the capital.
It was rumoured that they were killed on the run.
On the verge of death, Dinh Thang used his blood to write a letter
to reveal the Queen Dowager's wrong doings.
However, that letter
found its way to a fool peasant.
Long live the King and the Queen Dowager!
Let me go! Let me go!
I must allege the King about the Queen Dowager's crime!
In fear of being involved and charged of disrespect,
the villagers hid the man in a nearby temple.
Lately, more rumours about the letter have surged
since the death of the fool.
Why would Dinh Thang want to accuse the Queen Dowager?
And what would he accuse her of?
Only Dinh Thang could answer these questions.
Unfortunately, there's only so much that the dead can tell.
Nevertheless, the letter must have held a terrible secret.
What do you it could be?
For a eunuch in the forbidden city,
one can never guess what he could hear or see.
Dinh Thang and Dinh Phuc used to be in charge of
recording the list of name and time
of concubines summoned by the former King.
When the Queen Dowager gave birth to Ban Co,
they might have realised something suspicious.
Your Highness, have you ever thought that
the Queen Dowager was the real mastermind behind the former King's murder
in order to conceal her crime?
This is also what I'm wondering about.
But without any real evidence, it can only remain as a possibility.
Then perhaps the blood letter is the final piece to this puzzle.
If it does really exist, it's really a godsend to your cause.
Oh, Nguyen Vu. - Hoa Ha.
Hoa Ha,
on my way here, I saw a lot of search parties outside the capital.
Are you sure? - Sooner or later, they'll reach this place.
You two should better go into hiding as soon as possible.
Hoa Xuan, let's get going! - Why do have to listen to this clown?
What does he know really? - How can you still be that stubborn?
This is all because of your rash action! - Very well then!
Yes, I caused all these troubles and I will take care of them!
Let them into this house! Let them taste my blade!
Sister!
Nguyen Vu, bring her out of here! I'll stall them for you! Quick!
Sister! Sister! - Hoa Xuan! Quick!
Sister!
Sire, we've lost track of them... - You idiots! Let's move out!
Sister!
Where are you going? - Let me go!
I must take revenge for my sister's death.
Do you also want to die? - Then what could I do?
Just tell me! What should I do? - The Queen Dowager is still very powerful.
We can't go up against them alone!
Right now, there's only one way
but you have to follow my lead.
I just don't want you to catch a cold.
What are you doing?
Where are you going? - To the capital.
For what?
Didn't we agree to find that letter together?
Do what you will,
but I can't waste any more time
on something that isn't even real.
And what if we couldn't find it?
But what could you achieve by going back? - My revenge!
Are you crazy? - Leave me alone! Do you want to die?
You... - Take a good look! I'm not your enemy!
Your enemy is out there!
You hate the Queen Dowager, so do I,
But I don't stupid decision like you.
Even if you'd killer her,
your parents and your sister wouldn't have come back at all.
Get real!
You've known my story, how come I don't know anything about you?
Aside from being on the duke's side,
Who are you really?
I'm afraid you wouldn't believe me.
I'm the last survivor of the Nguyens
in the incident at Le Chi Vien. - Really?
Then you're related to Nguyen Trai? - Yes.
So the letter is my only chance of clearing my family's name.
Now you know who I am, shall we go?
Nguyen Vu! Nguyen Vu! - What's that?
That's him!
Nguyen Vu, look!
Brother, what's happened here? - The blood letter
What is it?
We're too late!
But why did he kill his underlings?
It means that he got the letter.
What's wrong? - Look, is that his horse?
Minister?
By the Queen Dowager's command, I'm here to bring back the letter.
How did you find me here?
Did you come here on her Highness' command
or on your own?
Don't you dare oppose the imperial sword!
I don't! - Then hand me the letter!
The minister is keeping the letter. Let's split up!
Nguyen Vu! Nguyen Vu!
Blood will spill.
Grandfather!
Blood will spill.
I've obtained the letter, our family's innocence will be proven.
This blood letter will spill blood.
It will bring blood.
Don't worry! You're just thinking too much!
Besides, you're still weak.
Don't take those nightmares seriously!
What if they were all true?
It might be sign,
That letter will bring more disaster.
Yes. It'll be the Queen Dowager's downfall, she deserves it!
Nguyen Vu, Please listen to me!
Let's not put our effort in vain!
It's the right thing to do!
But what if many more people were to suffer because of the letter?
Can we really do that?
What we've done, is it worth it?
I understand that you're worried about the nightmares,
but you can't go back on what we've been fighting like that!
But what if we were all wrong? - She'd still have to die!
What about the people? Would that be fair for them?
I don't know and I don't care!
I just remember the horrible fate that my family suffered.
You may have move on
but I can't easily do that.
She must pay for her crime.
An eye for an eye, blood for blood.
Let's separate here!
Hoa Xuan!
Please don't go!
Bring me to his Highness! - Yes, sir.
Excellent! The blood letter has finally been found.
The Queen Dowager can't deny her crime anymore.
All of these happened because of your contribution.
After the rebellion succeeds,
you'll be able to clear your family's name.
Nguyen Vu, what's the matter? - Nothing, sire.
What should we do next?
You've had a long day, just rest!
Yes, milord ,
You didn't want to give his Highness the letter, did you?
The more we stay together, the more our difference grows.
Whatever you have in mind for the future,
it doesn't seem to include me.
It seems the Queen Dowager's doesn't know how to treat her followers.
But I'm different.
Help me and you'll be rewarded when I got the throne.
Very well! She'll know the cost of crossing me!
We'll get there. - So what's your plan, sire?
First, you have to make sure
that whoever's in line for the throne is eliminated.
Get them all! - And then?
Let the Queen Dowager take the blame!
From there,
she will surely loose her grip on the royal court.
And this blood letter
will help me ascend lawfully to the throne.
Nguyen Vu? - So this is all yours!
I can't believe that you're even more wicked than the Queen Dowager!
Nguyen Vu, you're still very naive.
You think that I'd silently do my best
for somebody else's interest?
No, the throne is mine. It's rightfully mine!
And you have my thank for helping me realise it.
I'll never be on your side! Hand me back the letter!
I originally thought that we could be good friends.
It's really a shame.
Here, take it!
Stop or I'll kill him! - What do you want?
The letter,
Now!
Here, don't hurt me!
Hoa Xuan,
I was wrong.
I can't take my revenge
at the cost of the people's blood.
My revenge has blinded me
and made me into this selfish person.
Maybe it's time to...
Hoa Xuan!
Execute!
Servant!
Give me back my live!
Revenge! - Revenge!
You'll have to pay! - Give me back my live!
For all these years.
all this haunting, isn't that enough for revenge?
What else do you want?
What do you want me to do?
Who is that?
Your highness, a stranger wishes your audience.
He said that he had the letter.
Kneel! - Stop!
Who are you? - That's not important .
How did you have the letter? - Such details aren't more important
than the fact it's already in my hand.
The letter and its content are all made-up lies by the rebels.
You were wise to bring it to me.
What shall I reward you with?
In all honesty, the letter is my only chance to meet you
and to tell you this?
Speak!
Just because of your thirst for your power,
you have brought so many tragedies to the people in this kingdom.
There's no shortage of people who want take you down.
But one thing is for sure,
this letter, if fallen into their hands, will only bring more sorrow.
By handing you this letter,
I hope this circle of madness will end here.
Stop!
Guards, arrest him! - Yes!
Who are you?
12 years ago,
you ordered the execution of Nguyen Trai's family.
and I was the last survivor.
I don't know what lies in front of me,
but I'm certain what my destiny is.
One only has once chance to live.
But Hoa Xuan and me,
we have a chance to live ours again. (subtitle from http://shooter.cn by SPlayer™)
in a different world, a world without vengeance. (subtitle from http://shooter.cn by SPlayer™)