At the end of the Kingdom of the United Shilla,
the Royal family indulged in luxury and corruption,
and the thanes brought about revolts and wars.
The Royal Demon Slayers, the Chuyongdae,
raised a rebellion for the people, but ultimately failed.
The people turned into thieves and refugees, and in order to escape from the demons,
they offered the living as sacrifice. It was a time of extreme chaos.
Help me!
I don't want to die!
Eat that instead, and go back to your hell.
This isn't your world any longer.
This wine is excellent.
Just like the rumors have it.
I'm sorry we can offer only food
instead of money for your efforts.
Well, I just did it for the wine anyway.
And this Kimchi is delicious.
Since the Chuyongdae were executed,
I thought I'd never find a demon slayer again.
But we have a great slayer like you here.
We are blessed.
Oh, I'm nothing but a vagabond.
By the way,
we have another person to slay.
Yi Gwak, the head soldier of Chuyongdae.
Thank you for coming to our village.
What are you all doing?
He's the savior of our village!
We're short of food, so we need the bounty on his head to survive!
You bastards!
We put a sleeping pill in the wine.
And we already called the soldiers!
Then,
I should leave before I fall asleep.
Excuse me, where am I?
Oh goodness!
You came here without...
You're supposed to clean yourself at the Tanchi Bath first.
'Tanchi' what?
You smell so bad.
How many do you see?
Yes, a lack of adaptability again.
Listen carefully.
This is 'Midheaven' where the spirits stay for 49 days until reincarnated.
In other words, you're dead.
What?
I'm sure you're totally confused.
It's natural in the beginning.
You must've died on the streets.
But peacefully it seems, since your body has no scars.
What'd you eat to get so tall?
Don't let it get you down.
Do charitable deeds for 49 days,
and pray to be born human again.
Midheaven?
Not again! Don't be so nice!
I can never ignore someone who's helpless.
You dummy.
Follow me. I'll guide you through Midheaven.
How dare you make me wear this!
What an idiot.
Whether you're a king or beggar we're all the same here.
Stand in line to change your clothes.
Just show them your nameplate.
I'll see you around.
Nameplate?
You really are stupid.
This is what you get when you're dead.
Didn't you meet the Grim Reaper?
The guy in white with a sword.
What the hell?
Over here!
- Where is he? - Over there.
I knew something was odd about him. He didn't even go to the Tanchi Bath.
You're right.
When did you die?
Yesterday? Or today?
Oh goodness.
Think you're the only one who died yesterday or today?
Look at this. How can I find you in here?
Tell me your name and the date you died on.
YI...
Yi Gwak. Okay.
Let's see.
There is a Yi Gwang...
Yes?
But no Yi Gwak. What's going on here?
What's wrong? What's this?
Spirits don't do this.
Then, a living being?
He's not dead?
A living human?
How are living beings allowed in here?
Hey! Human!
Stop!
Everybody, stop!
Help the spirits here escape from this street!
The other reapers and Archangels are all dead.
So-hwa, you should escape first.
Get out of here now!
Hurry!
Get out of here!
So-hwa, please go.
Protect So-hwa!
So-hwa!
Yon-hwa, watch out!
Brother.
Who are you?
Yon-hwa.
Yon-hwa?
Yon-hwa, it's me!
Go away!
Yon-hwa, it's me, Yi Gwak.
It's Yi Gwak.
Don't you recognize me?
Are you a living being?
I'm the one who sees the ghosts!
Not her! Have mercy!
That witch summoned the ghosts, and wrecked havoc on this village.
Kill her!
No! No! No!
Yon-hwa!
Yon-hwa...
Yi Gwak...
Don't move.
Don't be scared. I'm So-hwa, a Chuneen.
You saved me, didn't you?
Then the White Reapers...
There was an uprising here.
We shut the gates to Midheaven to block the demons from entering.
But somehow you must've slipped in.
Go back to the village for now.
After I settle things, I'll let you leave.
Thanks for saving me.
What?
What's a 'Chuneen'?
What?
You said Chuneen.
A Chuneen is a heavenly being free from their agonies and memories.
You have no memories?
Yes, because I'm a Chuneen.
Your memories...
You lost your memories?
Yes.
You must have.
It was my fault.
My fault for not protecting you.
Are you in pain? It's the 'Yin' energy.
Don't breathe in so deeply.
Oh, my goodness.
What's wrong?
I'll never leave you alone again.
Never.
We killed all the White Reapers, but failed to catch So-hwa.
I sent the black birds, so they will bring the news.
The Chuneens we killed didn't have Chun-hon's 'Holy Stone.'
So-hwa must have it.
Since there is no one to help her, she'll be easy to catch.
I will go get her now.
But the one who saved So-hwa was none other than Yi Gwak.
Spirits can't use the 'Jajak Sword.'
So Yi Gwak must be alive.
This is the place where spirits remove the smell of the living.
A seven-day-wash here will help you adapt to Midheaven's 'Yin' energy.
Empty this bath.
Yes, ma'am
What are you waiting for? Get in.
OK.
Why do you have so many scars?
You must've suffered a great deal.
Chuneens can read the minds of others.
You seem to be a good person. A nice man.
Why do you take off your clothes? Just get in.
What?
Stay in the water for a half day.
You'll rid the smell from your body.
How could I be in the water for a half day?
Because you believe it's water, it looks like water.
If you don't, then it is not.
You can do it.
Ban-chu got his power
from the Pool of Reflection, which removes the livings' memories.
The only way to get rid of his power
is to put my spirit
into the pool when the moon is full.
If Midheaven vanishes,
the dead cannot get into Heaven,
and there will be no more births in this world.
You have to protect Midheaven.
I will give my 'Holy Stone' to So-hwa.
Sir Chun-hon. But I'm only a student.
I'm too weak to carry out this mission.
So-hwa.
Your mind resembles that of humans the most.
That's why I chose you.
You believe in humans. Don't change that thought.
When you become enlightened,
you'll receive great power from it.
Sir Chun-hon, please give me the strength.
Is this enough?
Oh no.
It was you?
Where is she?
So you're the man who So-hwa asked me to take to the village.
I asked you where she is.
Yon-hwa!
Hyo!
Yi Gwak, you've gotten very thin.
Sir Ban-chu is waiting for you.
Although I don't believe in the gods any more,
I have to thank them for one thing.
They still allow me to connect with you.
Thank you for being alive.
Sir.
You have good eyes.
So the one who sees the ghosts was you, not her.
We are the Royal Demon Slayers,
Chuyongdae.
Won't you join us?
The Jajak Sword, leading the spirit to the path to Heaven.
Only a human being can use this.
This is yours now.
Look at the sky, the earth,
and human beings with truthful eyes.
And remember the sword's meaning.
Now I appoint Yi Gwak to lead the Chuyongdae.
He'll hold all of Chuyongdae's power
and take charge of all ceremonies in the palace.
What shall we call you now?
Sir Yi Gwak?
Come on, that's weird between us.
Why not?
- Let's go. - Let's go have a drink!
Were you thinking of Yon-hwa?
I have something like that as well.
It's my wife's.
When I was Chuyongdae's head soldier,
my wife was raped while she was pregnant.
She committed suicide,
begging me for forgiveness.
The police executed a beggar for it,
but I knew all along that
the sons of the aristocracy
were the ones who raped my wife.
Now they are ministers of the court.
I've stood back and waited,
but there is no justice in this country.
While powerless people suffer, those with power grow fat.
Tonight, Chuyongdae will attack the capital.
Yi Gwak, let's go together.
Yi Gwak!
Now is not the right time.
If you go on like this,
everyone will be killed in vain.
Is that your answer?
Sir, please think this over.
Protect Sir Ban-chu!
Woong-gul!
Hyo!
Sir.
Get out of here.
I'll buy you some time.
Now is the beginning.
Are you still trying to change the world?
Is that why you brought about this revolt?
Yi Gwak.
I don't shed blood without reason.
If I can only get a hold of Chun-hon's Holy Stone,
there will be no more victims.
Yes.
She looks exactly like Yon-hwa.
She just lost her memories, that's all.
If she doesn't remember anything,
she isn't who she was before.
Even if you're right, she's already a Chuneen.
She'll never recognize you again.
Deliver this message to her.
Giving me the Holy Stone is the only way to stop the deaths.
But it's...
I trust you.
To complete my power, I must change the full moon's energy.
I won't move until my power is complete.
I'll use the Pool of Reflection to advance the full moon.
Demon Slayers?
They had the power to raise the revolt by using the demons.
What's Chun-hon's 'Holy Stone'?
Is that what you're after?
Is that why you pretended to save me?
I'm not your enemy.
Don't lie to me. You deceived me.
You said you can read minds, didn't you?
Then read mine.
I would never deceive you.
You promised
that you wouldn't forget me,
that you would remember me forever.
It's Sir Ban-chu's order. You two. Catch So-hwa.
The key to opening the portal to the Living World is the Holy Stone.
If he advances the full moon's arrival,
then he has to have it by then.
But what if Yi Gwak blocks us?
Cut off his head.
It's so beautiful.
Even if you're not my enemy,
as long as you know them, I can't be with you.
Yi Gwak took good care of us like a real brother would.
- Do we really have to kill him? - Everything depends on Yi Gwak.
Brother.
We received our order.
Be strong.
Do you know how dangerous it is for a living person to stay here?
Yin energy will get into your scars, and you will die.
Then you won't be able to reincarnate.
Why and how am I here?
I don't know why I have to care about you!
Why did you save me?
Why did you meet me?
Yi Gwak, please step away.
All we need is the Holy Stone.
Woong-gul.
Stay away from her.
This is none of your business.
If you block us, there's only one way out.
We can't fight like this.
You may kill me, but not her.
Run away.
Get out of here!
Now I will respect you no more.
I can't just stand here,
and see you all change like this.
Woong-gul.
I'll handle Yi Gwak.
I wish we could've met under better circumstances,
now it seems that's unlikely.
I wouldn't have to fight Yi Gwak if it weren't for you.
Woong-gul.
Yi Gwak.
Yi Gwak!
If you act on your own again, you won't be forgiven.
I came all the way here to see the world you've built up.
But Yi Gwak is a betrayer,
so why do you care so much about him?
Enough!
Still think of him as the head soldier?
I will tell you once more.
Let Yi Gwak come to me.
I understand him
since we have experienced similar suffering.
But,
he'll soon realize that he is being deceived by memories.
Once he realizes that love is transient,
he'll see the suffering the world has given him.
Yeo-wi, where are you going?
Don't do anything stupid.
Wake up, Hyo.
He has never cared about you.
If Sir Ban-chu hesitates, I'll kill Yi Gwak myself.
I can't stand that I'm so miserable and pathetic.
If I had been stronger, Midheaven wouldn't be like this.
And you wouldn't be in this mess.
I hate them so much.
I promised that I wouldn't change,
but I feel like I'm getting worse.
You can't change.
I'll help you.
I'm sorry for getting mad at you.
That's alright.
Are you hurt anywhere?
I'm okay.
OK.
Are you worried about me now?
I'm just worried because you're a living being.
Wasn't my hand cold?
What?
Spirits don't have any warmth.
It's the first time I've ever held a living person's hand.
And to feel my heart beating.
It's a harmless weed.
It's a rare plant here.
It has no scent.
It's the village where the spirits meditate and repent their sins.
If you take a boat from here, we can reach the Pool of Reflection.
Anyway, where is the village?
The spirits vanish if they don't smell the scent.
What's wrong?
Wake up!
Yi Gwak...
I want to wear this and die.
Since I prepared this to wear for you.
I don't want to die.
I want to live.
Promise me
that you won't change.
Like the time when you first saw me,
protect people with your abilities.
I won't leave you alone.
I promise.
I promise that I will never forget you.
How long are you going to use him?
Don't fool yourself.
I was with Yi Gwak, not you.
You're nothing but a shell of his memories.
Hyo.
Stop it.
I don't want to fight you.
But Yi Gwak...
If you get in my way again,
I will kill you.
Are you hurt anywhere?
What's wrong?
Death is a sad thing to the living, isn't it?
Since they can't see their loved ones again.
But they only suffer pain by living in their memories.
If their fate is still intact,
they're supposed to meet again in reincarnation.
So what I mean is...
Let's change the subject.
We have to go now.
Wait a second.
Hey, out of check.
Is this also a necessary stage through Midheaven?
I like it.
Thank you.
It looks delicious.
My son is very loyal to me.
Since I like fried food,
he sends me a lot of it every memorial service day.
Try it, young man.
Thank you.
Ma'am, this has no taste at all.
This is delicious. Can I have one more?
Do you also want one more?
What is all this?
This is all forbidden in Midheaven.
I'm sorry but you don't have to put on a scary face like that.
If you don't erase your memories, you can't take on a new life.
Are you referring to me?
I saw her.
She's why you're protecting me while risking your life, right?
But I'm not her.
What you're seeing in me is just your memories.
Yes, you remind me of Yon-hwa!
I wish that you'd see me like you did before...
and say my name lovingly like you used to.
That's what I wish.
What's wrong with that?
You said that what the heart feels is everything here.
This is what my heart feels.
It's none of your business anyway.
It is my business.
Do you know how hard it is to bear your looking at me like that?
Hey, kids! Get out of the way!
It's a wedding march.
Hey, what are you two doing there?
Oh my, So-hwa!
Changbushin!
I'm very sorry.
I'm only a musician, and I can't be of any help to you.
But they don't know this place,
since it's considered to be nonexistent.
We have to reach the Pool of Reflection by the full moon,
but we got lost on this Hidden Sanctuary.
Oh, I'm so sorry, So-hwa.
Actually, I built this street.
But everything will be cleared in the morning.
Since the full moon is in two days,
you can arrive at the Pool of Reflection
by tomorrow afternoon.
Watch out!
So-hwa...
Why do they refuse to give up their memories?
It's nothing but pain.
It's not pain.
Since it's life itself to human beings.
Whether they're happy or sad,
delighted, or hurt,
or even good or bad,
their emotions that feel the memories are innocent.
That's love.
That's why there is hope in this world.
They seek a better world.
But isn't it dangerous to put the world in their hands?
So-hwa, we were humans once.
You also must have felt love,
pain, joy, and sadness.
All that we can do is to protect their innocence.
Frankly speaking, that's why I built this street.
To let them enjoy themselves until they're reincarnated.
This couple asks that you officiate their wedding.
What?
But I...
It would be a great blessing to this couple.
I wish with the power of the Consoling Tree,
that your love lasts forever.
There was a plague in the village.
I saw a spirit that couldn't leave,
since he was worried about his mother.
I told that to Yon-hwa,
and she told his mother.
The spirit finally left this world
and his mother was consoled,
but they said that Yon-hwa called the ghosts to the village.
While she was dying,
I couldn't do anything.
It was all my fault.
Will you do me a favor?
If I die,
and am reborn as a human,
please let me meet Yon-hwa again.
You have to stay here.
As a Chuneen, I will handle things from now on.
Since you're human, you cannot follow me anymore.
Changbushin! Changbushin!
Take it easy. What happened?
What's the matter?
Come on! Hurry!
What's going on?
This is absolutely crazy!
So-hwa went to fight them alone!
How did they know that we were here?
Hey, where are you going?
Get out of here now!
That was fun.
Does a Chuneen have that kind of power?
Don't go, Yi Gwak.
Get out of my way, Hyo.
If you don't go, everything will be over.
We can be together again.
Do you love that Chuneen?
I wanted to stand before you not as a comrade,
but as a woman.
But you never once looked at me like that.
If this is what you want,
I'll do whatever you want.
Go to the Pool of Reflection now!
I won't just watch any longer.
Chuyongdae
had the power to change the world.
But you didn't know how to use that power.
You destroyed everything!
The power of Chuyongdae
should be used to protect the world, not to change it.
And so I am forced to stop all of you.
Shut up!
You chose this.
I'll show you the end of this.
Don't change.
Yi Gwak!
Like her,
I wanted to keep you in my heart.
And I thought it would make me happy.
Yi Gwak.
The 'Yin' energy has already spread over his body.
It's too late.
No, I won't let him die like that.
It was my fault.
I made him that way.
I just tried to...
Life and death relies on the laws of the heavens.
If you give him the holy energy, he could come back to life.
But you must violate the laws of heaven.
If you do, you will experience billions of years of suffering,
and return to the human world.
Yon-hwa.
It is you, right?
Yon-hwa.
Forgive me for having let you leave me.
I tried my best to keep my promise to you.
So-hwa, the full moon.
Is this the reward for my belief in you?
Yi Gwak.
I believed that you would understand me,
but you're also a pathetic human.
Love is nothing but an illusion.
Contempt. Greed. Hatred.
Humans make the world more and more painful.
Reincarnation doesn't change people.
Sir.
Everything must start over again.
And I abandoned everything to complete my power.
But you betrayed me and your brothers
to protect a hopeless love in your memories.
What changes the world is the love for people and the world.
What you have always sought back then and even now,
was simply revenge against the world.
We must leave now.
So-hwa!
The Holy Stone will never be taken!
Look very carefully, Yi Gwak.
Love can't change the world.
Don't resist.
Nothing will change. Only the pain will get worse.
The Pool has already changed.
The Holy Stone in your body is opening the way to the Living World.
So-hwa!
Yi Gwak!
Hold on.
I will come to you.
The Jajak Sword
leads the spirit to the path to Heaven.
I'll do just that for you.
To give up your life for love
is the easiest way.
Yi Gwak!
Are you going to abandon the power of the Pool?
You accepted the Holy Stone.
If you throw your body into the water,
you will vanish.
Can you do that for a pitiful human being?
Yes, I can.
Because I love him.
Yi Gwak!
I can smell it now.
Your hand is so warm.
Will we meet again?
I will remember you forever.