Episode 220: The Tang Family Head

By the time Tang Mujin caught up with Mok Wana using his swift footwork, Mok Wana had already encountered Dan Seol-young.

Tang Mujin quickly hid behind a building, cursing his delayed judgment.

“I should have acted sooner.”

He scanned the surroundings, considering calling for help from Tang Jeseon if necessary. But it seemed Tang Jeseon had also vanished, perhaps feeling equally unprepared to handle the situation.

Tang Mujin’s instincts, honed through countless brushes with death, screamed a warning: this was not the time for rash actions.

He found himself in a desperate dilemma, more so than ever before.

Between Dan Seol-young and Mok Wana, in that narrow space—was it a death trap, or a chance worth risking everything for?

Tang Mujin quickly reached a conclusion.

“It’s a death trap. Getting involved would only lead to ruin.”

With that, he reversed his steps and retreated.

Dan Seol-young was taken aback by the unexpected conversation.

”…What? You want to become a concubine?”

When Mok Wana nodded slightly, Dan Seol-young felt a sharp headache coming on.

Tang Mujin had always believed that his relationship with Mok Wana was purely one of loyalty and friendship. But that was just his perspective. Dan Seol-young had long known that Mok Wana harbored feelings for Tang Mujin.

It wasn’t hard to notice. After all, why else would someone risk their life for another if not for love? Mok Wana had even traveled from the distant Tianshan to Sichuan for him.

There was no need to dissect it further. Anyone could see the longing in Mok Wana’s eyes when she looked at Tang Mujin.

Of course, Dan Seol-young wasn’t the only one aware of this.

Everyone connected to the Tang family, except for the oblivious Tang father and son, knew it too.

But having feelings and expressing them are two entirely different matters.

Especially when the person in question is Dan Seol-young, the legitimate wife.

“How could you… No.”

Dan Seol-young stopped herself from speaking further. It wasn’t that she had nothing to say.

In fact, she had too many thoughts swirling in her mind, making it hard to know where to start.

She had considered this scenario before.

For instance, on the day they hung the sign for the Tang Family Clinic. Dan Seol-young had seriously pondered this issue. When a household grows, men often start looking elsewhere.

Of course, it would be best if such a thing never happened.

But if it did, she had secretly thought Mok Wana would be a better choice than others.

Unlike those who cunningly seek their own gain, Mok Wana was so kind-hearted she seemed almost naive.

Moreover, just as Dan Seol-young shared a connection with Tang Mujin through her crafting skills, Mok Wana shared a bond with him through her knowledge of poisons and medicine.

It all seemed fine in theory.

But accepting something in theory and facing it in reality are two different things.

And the timing couldn’t have been worse.

Was there ever a worse time to discuss such a topic? Dan Seol-young felt a sense of betrayal from Tang Mujin.

“He was away for a year, and it’s only been two days since he returned. Is this really the time to bring this up? No, he spent last night outside, so it’s really only been a couple of hours since he came home.”

The fact that Tang Mujin had suggested Mok Wana become a concubine as soon as he returned implied that he had been thinking of her, not Dan Seol-young, during his travels.

“Maybe he brought her to the capital knowing full well about her feelings.”

And the messenger was a problem too.

If Tang Mujin had spoken to her directly, it might have been different. But having Mok Wana deliver the message was cowardly.

Suppressing her anger and disappointment towards both Tang Mujin and Mok Wana, Dan Seol-young spoke.

“Did Tang Mujin tell you to get my permission?”

She tried to keep her voice calm.

But Mok Wana sensed the underlying anger in Dan Seol-young’s tone. Her voice grew as small as an ant’s.

“No… He didn’t.”

“Then what? Did Tang Mujin ask you to become a concubine?”

“No, he didn’t…”

So Tang Mujin hadn’t even asked her, yet she had come on her own.

It seemed odd, but knowing Mok Wana, it was plausible. She was smart in some ways but often stumbled in others.

As she thought this, another fundamental question came to Dan Seol-young’s mind.

She asked again.

“Then did Tang Mujin ever express any feelings for you?”

“Ah…”

Mok Wana’s face showed clear signs of embarrassment.

Dan Seol-young let out a sigh of relief.

As she suspected, nothing of the sort had happened.

She let go of her disappointment towards Tang Mujin, letting it drift away like a breeze.

What remained was a slight irritation and a touch of pity for Mok Wana.

Was she acting foolishly because she was naturally naive, or was her love for Tang Mujin so overwhelming that it clouded her judgment? There was no way to know.

At that moment, Tang Young, who had been toddling after Mok Wana, intervened between the two women.

“Don’t fight…”

“We’re not fighting.”

Dan Seol-young picked up Tang Young and held him in her arms. Her demeanor noticeably calmed.

Initially, she had been ready to lash out, even considering using some martial arts she had learned in the past.

But understanding the situation, her anger dissipated.

In truth, Dan Seol-young and Mok Wana had never had a bad relationship. Mok Wana had always been fond of Dan Seol-young, and Dan Seol-young had a considerable fondness for Mok Wana in return.

“Perhaps this was something that was bound to happen, just in an unexpected order.”

So how should she handle this conversation? Dan Seol-young pondered for a moment before speaking.

“Coming to me for permission is a strange idea, but I don’t think it’s bad. It shows you wanted to consider my opinion, even if it’s awkward.”

Mok Wana nodded.

Dan Seol-young hesitated about what to say next. It might seem like she was leaving room for Mok Wana.

But ultimately, she decided to speak.

“Don’t forget there’s something more important than getting my permission.”

“What is it?”

“Tang Mujin’s own feelings. Getting my approval comes after that. What’s the point of convincing the owner of an apple tree if the apples haven’t even ripened yet?”

“Actually, Tang Mujin doesn’t really care about me… No, never mind.”

Mok Wana almost turned it into a love counseling session but stopped herself. She had enough sense for that.

Dan Seol-young spoke with a deliberately cool tone.

“And don’t misunderstand. Just because Tang Mujin might accept you doesn’t mean I will. I was just explaining the order of things. Understand? You haven’t convinced the owner of the apple tree yet.”

Mok Wana nodded, her earlier confidence now deflated.

Dan Seol-young looked at her for a moment, then pinched Mok Wana’s cheek.

“You’re so troublesome. Really.”

Meanwhile, Tang Mujin was wandering aimlessly around the Tang family courtyard, dreading the impending fallout. He was seriously considering making an excuse to leave the house.

His anxious pacing clearly reflected his unease.

And there were those who quickly picked up on his anxiety. Namgung Myung, Hyun Gong, and Hong Geolgae approached him.

“What’s up? You look worried.”

Tang Mujin hesitated, unsure if he should share his troubles.

It wasn’t something he could easily discuss with just anyone. But it was also a problem he couldn’t solve alone.

Even with his wide network, there were few he could turn to for advice on such matters.

Though his friends were not exactly experts in relationships, Tang Mujin was desperate enough to seek help from anyone.

“Here’s what happened…”

Tang Mujin explained the situation to his friends.

Hong Geolgae, having no knowledge in this area, immediately covered his ears, declaring he would pretend he hadn’t heard anything.

Namgung Myung wasn’t much different. Though he knew a bit more about relationships than Hong Geolgae, he wasn’t equipped to offer solutions.

Hyun Gong, on the other hand, looked at Tang Mujin with a burning gaze. He had secretly harbored feelings for Mok Wana. Not that Mok Wana was the only one he had feelings for.

“What does Mok Wana see in this guy?”

Initially, he was consumed by jealousy.

But upon reconsideration, he thought it might actually be a good thing.

Hyun Gong spoke up.

“So, you’re saying Mok Wana suddenly showed interest in you, and you’re caught off guard?”

“Exactly.”

“And you’re afraid this might ruin your relationship with Dan Seol-young.”

“Precisely.”

“Then I have a solution.”

“What is it?”

Tang Mujin leaned in, eager for Hyun Gong’s answer.

“If I win over Mok Wana’s heart, all your problems will be solved.”

Tang Mujin, along with Namgung Myung and Hong Geolgae, looked at him as if he’d lost his mind.

But Hyun Gong believed he was the only one who could step up.

“Tang Mujin is married, and Namgung Myung is practically engaged. Hong Geolgae is… well, Hong Geolgae. That leaves me.”

And objectively speaking, Hyun Gong was quite a catch.

He was handsome, a rare talent among his peers, and now even wealthy.

The only potential issue was his status as a Taoist. But even among Taoists, there were those who married and had families. After all, even the art of the bedroom was rooted in Taoist practices.

Namgung Myung clicked his tongue and chided Hyun Gong.

“Do you really think you can win Lady Mok’s heart? If you’re willing to become a concubine, you must be deeply infatuated.”

“I have to try.”

“You know it’s impossible, right?”

Hyun-gong closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again, determination shining brighter than ever.

“Is there an arrow too afraid to leave the bowstring for fear of breaking?”

With a serene resolve, Hyun-gong rose and set off to find Mok Wana.

An hour later, the arrow shattered without leaving a mark on its target.

Hyun-gong shed a few tears.

That night, Tang Mujin hesitantly entered the annex. Tang Ying seemed to be asleep, and Dan Seol-young was tucking him in.

Once, it felt natural to share a bed with Dan Seol-young.

Now, it felt like he was descending into the depths of hell.

Tang Mujin was anxious about what Dan Seol-young might say, but to his surprise, she remained silent.

Relieved, he extinguished the candle and lay down.

Darkness filled the room.

Just as he thought he might survive the day, Dan Seol-young asked him quietly.

“Tang Mujin, are you planning to take Mok Wana as a concubine?”

His heart sank, though he had done nothing wrong. He answered without hesitation.

“No.”

“Really? I didn’t expect such a firm denial.”

“Why?”

“Why? You know how men are.”

Tang Mujin stared into the darkness before speaking.

“It’s not that I dislike her; I just never thought about it. I didn’t know she saw me that way.”

“If you hadn’t thought about it, does that mean you will now?”

There was a playful tone in Dan Seol-young’s voice, but beneath it lay something more serious.

Tang Mujin realized this was a test, and hidden within it was a real challenge.

He considered the hidden meaning before replying.

“That’s not what I meant. I haven’t even taken care of you properly, so how could I?”

“So, you have no intention of taking Mok Wana as a concubine in the future?”

“That’s right.”

Tang Mujin felt he had answered honestly.

But Dan Seol-young’s reaction was subtle.

“Well, we’ll see about that.”

He wasn’t sure what she meant, but he knew he was treading on dangerous ground.

From experience, Tang Mujin knew that actions spoke louder than words in such situations. Instead of explaining further, he turned and embraced Dan Seol-young tightly. Silence filled the room.

Dan Seol-young, nestled in his arms, gently traced her fingers over his back, sides, and arms. She felt the scars that had multiplied since their last journey.

She remembered when she first met Tang Mujin, when his skin was almost unblemished.

‘Still, compared to Elder Sam An-bul, he’s quite unscathed…’

Tang Mujin couldn’t tell what Dan Seol-young was thinking, only that the quiet made him uneasy.

“Are you upset?”

“Not really.”

Dan Seol-young examined her feelings from a distance.

She wasn’t angry, but there was a ripple of something else.

She knew there was no reason to be upset with Tang Mujin. It was just a vague sense of disappointment.

But even that disappointment melted away as she felt his warmth.

Tang Mujin whispered softly.

“Don’t worry. I’ll talk to Wana.”

“Do you think you can persuade her? Is that the right thing to do?”

Three years into their marriage, Dan Seol-young had changed in many ways.

The biggest change was her ability to see beyond herself and consider the family.

When Hyun-gong called her the lady of the house, she was both amused and a little pleased.

Though it wasn’t Tang Mujin’s intention, the Tang family was becoming more martial.

And from the family’s perspective, it was wise to keep Mok Wana close.

Tang Mujin once mentioned that when it came to poisons, even he couldn’t match Mok Wana’s expertise. She was the only one who could discuss such matters with him.

Dan Seol-young weighed her satisfaction and happiness against the needs of the family.

There was no clear answer. But she felt Tang Mujin’s warmth and strength.

Finally, she hugged him tightly and whispered.

“I don’t know how this will turn out, but I’ve made up my mind about one thing.”

“What is it?”

“If you bring another woman here, you’re dead.”

Tang Mujin nodded without hesitation.

Dan Seol-young smiled in the darkness and, for the first time in a while, caressed his skin.

The noise they made kept Tang Ying awake for the first time in his life.

Meanwhile, Mok Wana stood alone under the dim moonlight.

Dan Seol-young’s words echoed in her mind.

What was the point of seeking permission from the owner of an apple tree when the apples hadn’t even ripened?

It was true.

Mok Wana pondered how to win Tang Mujin’s heart, but nothing came to mind.

Having few friends her age, she was unfamiliar with the trivial tales of romance.

When was the last time she faced such a perplexing problem?

As she pondered, she sensed a faint presence.

It wasn’t her keen senses that detected it; it was as if someone wanted to be noticed.

Startled, Mok Wana looked in the direction of the presence.

Someone was perched on the Tang family wall.

“Who… Oh!”

Even in the darkness, she recognized the figure.

The person had such a distinctive appearance.

Someone who visited the Tang family every few months.

Someone who could even make the formidable Sam An-bul yield.

Hwayon Shinni whispered softly.

“It’s been a while, Wana. You seem burdened with heavy thoughts. Do you need my help?”

It was their first conversation since escaping the cult, yet Hwayon Shinni’s voice was incredibly familiar.

Mok Wana hesitated before replying.

“Help? My martial arts are too weak.”

“Tsk. Do you think that’s why I’m here?”

Hwayon Shinni leaped gracefully, landing silently beside Mok Wana.

“Three years ago, Dan Seol-young sought my advice on winning Tang Mujin’s heart. Within three months, they were married. Your situation seems quite similar.”

Mok Wana’s ears perked up at the story. She couldn’t help but ask.

“Really?”

“You can trust me. There’s not a single lie in my words.”

Hwayon Shinni’s voice brimmed with confidence. She leaned closer to Mok Wana, her voice filled with excitement.

“Will you trust me?”

Mok Wana nodded, as if entranced.