The Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure

In the late 14th century, female pirate captain Hae-Rang discovers a treasure map while raiding Japanese pirates in Korean waters. This map promises to lead her and her crew to imperial gold that was stolen from the royal palace and lost at sea.

Onboard Hae-Rang's ship is a group of bandits led by Wu Mu-Chi, who harbors ambitions of leadership. Tensions arise as Wu Mu-Chi attempts to assert his authority, eventually stealing the treasure map and hiding on an island.

After seeking Wu Mu-Chi, Hae-Rang realizes she must forge an uneasy alliance with him to retrieve the stolen map. Their collaboration is filled with mutual distrust as both parties seek the treasure.

Mak-Yi, Wu Mu-Chi's quartermaster, betrays them by stealing the map for his personal profit. Hae-Rang and Wu Mu-Chi join forces to confront Mak-Yi and successfully recover the map, but Wu Mu-Chi once again attempts to steal it.

Unbeknownst to Hae-Rang and Wu Mu-Chi, Bu Heung-Su, a former officer of the Emperor's army, is also in pursuit of the treasure. He seeks to deliver the riches to King Yi Bang Won, who wishes to claim the throne of Joseon.

The backdrop of the treasure hunt is the historical conflict involving General Yi Seong-Gye, who, in 1388, rebelled against the Goryeo Dynasty after an outnumbered confrontation. His actions set the stage for the eventual fall of Goryeo and the rise of Joseon.

Hae-Rang and Wu Mu-Chi discover a sea cave rumored to contain part of the coveted treasure. Inside, they find silver pieces, but Wu Mu-Chi insists the real treasure is gold, leading them to search further.

A fierce battle ensues when Bu Heung-Su ambushes Hae-Rang and Wu Mu-Chi. Their swords clash as they reveal a shared history, marking the beginning of their intense rivalry stemming from past betrayals.

After escaping a perilous encounter, Mak-Yi reveals the treasure's location on the island of Inazuma, notorious for its violent storms. Hae-Rang offers him a portion of the treasure to guide them there.

Hae-Rang's crew and Bu Heung-Su's crew set sail for Inazuma Island. While Wu Mu-Chi's crew struggles against the violent storms, Bu Heung-Su comes well-prepared, utilizing kites to shield his ship from lightning.

Atop a mountain struck by lightning, both Wu Mu-Chi and Bu Heung-Su discover an area signified by the 12 spears of Joseon's founders. Underneath General Choe's spear lies the hidden treasure, only to reveal another map pointing to further secrets.

As the treasure hunt continues, Mak-Yi retrieves a map that leads to a cave where a ship laden with treasure lies concealed. However, he faces a bizarre challenge from penguins guarding the vessel, complicating his claims.

In a climactic showdown, Bu Heung-Su meets his end while Wu Mu-Chi survives a lethal encounter with a sword through his chest. The fight concludes with Hae-Rang and her crew finally grasping the precious imperial treasure.

Hae-Rang and Wu Mu-Chi, after all their trials, successfully claim the imperial treasure and witness the transformation of Goryeo into Joseon. Freed by their victory, they consider their future in the new kingdom.

With the imperial treasure secured and Goryeo's fall marking Joseon's emergence, the story hints at future adventures. Historical events such as the Gihae Expedition offer potential new escapades for Hae-Rang and Wu Mu-Chi.