Episode 239: Dignity

As soon as Dang Mujin awoke, he felt a dull ache throughout his body.

Having been tied up for days with his acupoints sealed, his entire body felt as stiff as a log.

He grumbled inwardly.

“If they were going to keep me tied up for so long, they could’ve at least let me lie down.”

Then, he noticed a sensation that was different from the pain.

A pressure on his upper arm, accompanied by a small movement and warmth.

He opened his eyes and glanced sideways.

Mok Wana was lying there, her large eyes wide open, using his arm as a pillow.

Their eyes met.

“Uh…”

The events of the previous day came rushing back.

After Mok Wana’s intense battle with Gyobu-hwa, he had brought her to this cabin, as she wasn’t in the best condition.

Dang Mujin quickly checked their attire.

His pants were on, and Mok Wana’s clothes seemed decent enough.

Mok Wana looked at him and gave a shy smile.

It’s only natural to smile back when someone smiles at you, so Dang Mujin returned the smile, albeit awkwardly.

He slowly sat up.

Mok Wana followed suit, and they found themselves sitting face to face.

How should he start the conversation? After a moment’s thought, Dang Mujin asked, “How are you feeling?”

It wasn’t exactly the most appropriate question for someone who had endured such a toxic ordeal that her hair had turned white.

But Mok Wana gave a reasonably positive response.

“I’m not completely back to normal, but I don’t think there’ll be any major issues.”

Given her medical knowledge, if there were any problems, she’d surely mention them first.

That’s the convenience of dealing with a fellow physician.

Still, just to be sure, Dang Mujin checked her condition.

Her pulse was steady, and her breathing was even.

Her complexion was a bit pale, but considering her naturally fair skin, she seemed more or less fine.

A little rest at the Tang family estate would surely do her good.

Mok Wana asked, “Mujin, do you know where Jinram went?”

“He’s probably dead.”

“What? Why would he be dead?”

Jinram hadn’t followed them into the cave after sending Mok Wana in.

It wasn’t like Dang Mujin had overpowered Jinram first.

Dang Mujin explained about the poison.

“Gyobu-hwa had the Mogu, and Jinram took the Jago. Since Gyobu-hwa is dead, Jinram must be too.”

“Wait. What exactly is a ‘Gu’?”

Mok Wana had only heard of the term but didn’t know what it entailed.

Dang Mujin recounted what Gyobu-hwa had told him.

The roles of Mogu and Jago, and how the poison was created.

By confining numerous poisonous insects together and letting them devour each other, only one insect remains in the end. The one with the strongest poison, embodying countless grudges.

That insect becomes a key ingredient in various sorceries, one of which is the Gu poison.

In the story of the insect, Mok Wana saw a reflection of her own life. The last child standing among many.

Before her thoughts could deepen, Dang Mujin stood up.

“Shall we head out then?”

Mok Wana hesitated, flustered.

“Can’t we rest here for a few days?”

“Why? Are you not feeling well?”

“Um… a little.”

Dang Mujin tilted his head.

“Did I miss something during the check-up? What’s bothering you?”

As he reached for her wrist to check her pulse again, Mok Wana squeezed her eyes shut.

“No, on second thought, I think I’m okay. It’s just… right! We need to gather the things Gyobu-hwa brought from the southern lands, like poisons, insects, and seeds. Let’s take our time and make sure we don’t leave anything behind.”

Dang Mujin replied confidently.

“Don’t worry about that. While I was trapped in the cave, I memorized where Gyobu-hwa stored everything. We can gather it all in half a day and be on our way.”

Mok Wana looked up at the sky. It was far too early for night to fall.

Her eyes reflected a mix of disappointment and resignation.

And Dang Mujin, in his own way, understood the meaning behind that look.

“Do you want me to carry you if you’re too tired to walk?”

Mok Wana stared at him for a long moment before letting out a deep sigh and climbing onto his back.

Contrary to his expectation that she’d start walking on her own after half a day, Mok Wana remained on Dang Mujin’s back the entire time.

As a result, his pace slowed considerably. Even with the shortest route, it took them four days to exit the Nogunsan mountains.

It wasn’t until they reached the village at the foot of the mountains that Mok Wana finally got off his back.

Perhaps it was partly an act, as her steps were steady.

But Dang Mujin, knowing how much she’d been through, didn’t mind her little deception.

He approached the village chief and said, “There shouldn’t be any more outbreaks of the fever. But just in case, avoid going deep into the mountains for the next couple of months.”

“Thank you. By the way, Miss Mok’s hair… what happened?”

“It’s a long story.”

The chief wasn’t the type to pry into the affairs of his benefactors.

Thanks to that, Dang Mujin and Mok Wana could leave Nogunsan and head towards the Tang family estate without delay.

As they left the village, Mok Wana’s expression grew more somber.

It was several days later, just after sunset, when Dang Mujin and Mok Wana arrived at the Tang family clinic.

The first people they encountered were Hong Geolgae and Wang Jincheong.

Wang Jincheong, standing beside Hong Geolgae, was drenched in sweat, likely from martial arts training.

Hong Geolgae stared at Mok Wana.

Her white hair was striking. Standing next to Hwayeon Shinni, they might look like sisters with a significant age gap, with Mok Wana appearing as the elder.

Hong Geolgae asked, “Dang Mujin, what happened?”

“Mok Wana had a fortuitous encounter and achieved mastery in poison arts. Her hair turned white in the process.”

“How did she come across such an encounter?”

“We had a minor issue with a poison master from the southern lands. I’ll tell you the details later.”

As he spoke, Dang Mujin subtly showed the pack on his back, filled with spoils.

Once Hong Geolgae stepped aside, others approached to ask if they were alright.

Chusam and the other physicians, Seok Jiseung and the blacksmiths who had somehow become part of the Tang family, and even the martial artists from the demonic cult.

After exchanging pleasantries, Dang Mujin and Mok Wana went to greet Tang Jesun first.

Then they arrived at the annex, where Dan Seolyeong was sitting, gazing at the stars.

Her face lit up with delight.

“You’re back sooner than I expected.”

“We moved quickly.”

They had set out between winter and spring, but now it was fully spring. Spring wouldn’t last long, and soon the days would grow hot.

Dan Seolyeong gestured for them to come inside.

“Don’t just stand there in the dark. Come in and have some snacks, Wana.”

“Okay.”

The annex was a space for Dan Seolyeong and Dang Mujin.

Except for when they cared for Tang Yeong, Mok Wana rarely visited the annex.

But she felt like sitting somewhere. The mention of snacks was also tempting.

Inside, Tang Yeong was sound asleep.

Dan Seolyeong lowered her voice to avoid waking him.

“Judging by Wana’s condition, it seems something unusual happened again.”

“It was quite challenging.”

Dang Mujin recounted the events at Nogunsan.

Mok Wana sat beside him, nibbling on snacks. However, unlike usual, her expression was subdued, and she picked at the snacks slowly.

After some time, when Dang Mujin finished his story, Dan Seolyeong wore a rather complex expression.

“So, nothing happened between you and Wana?”

Unsure if he should share everything, Dang Mujin glanced at Mok Wana. She showed no particular reaction.

‘It doesn’t seem like she wants me to keep it a secret.’

After all, what secrets could there be between a husband and wife? Dang Mujin shared everything that had happened between him and Mok Wana.

The heartfelt confession Mok Wana had made shortly after entering Nogunsan.

His rather blunt rejection. The guilt he felt afterward.

Yet Dan Seolyeong still seemed to feel something was missing.

“So, nothing happened?”

“Things did happen. I just told you everything.”

“I’m not talking about that… I mean, after that. Was there nothing on the way back?”

“That’s all there is. We moved quite diligently.”

Dan Seolyeong looked at Mok Wana, who was absentmindedly picking at dried dates.

Her expression wasn’t one of guilt or remorse towards Dan Seolyeong. She simply seemed downcast.

Dan Seolyeong sighed deeply, then smiled a complicated smile.

“As expected of Dang Mujin. A reliable husband. Never wavers.”

“Uh-huh.”

Dan Seolyeong wasn’t stingy with her evaluations of others, but like most people, she rarely gave direct praise.

So Dang Mujin smiled contentedly.

But Dan Seolyeong’s words weren’t finished.

“He’s a reliable husband, but this… this isn’t human. Not human at all…”

“What?”

Dan Seol-young pressed her temples firmly.

As a loving wife, she never imagined she’d have to say something like this.

But this situation had gone beyond the ordinary.

Listening to Tang Mu-jin’s story, she found herself empathizing more with Mok Wan-ah, who sat right beside her, rather than feeling reassured by her husband’s upright behavior.

After a moment of contemplation, Dan Seol-young spoke.

“Mu-jin, didn’t you say Wan-ah saved your life once back on Mount Cheonsan?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“And she saved you again this time, didn’t she?”

“Yes.”

Dan Seol-young looked at Tang Mu-jin and let out a dry laugh.

“Honestly, if you were human… No, you don’t even have to be human. Even animals repay a debt when their life is saved twice, don’t they? And it’s not like she’s asking for anything in return.”

Hearing this from Dan Seol-young, of all people, made Tang Mu-jin feel incredibly awkward.

He tried to explain himself.

“Well, it’s just… I already have a family. It wouldn’t be fair to you.”

“She saved your life twice, and that’s the issue? Honestly, it’s frustrating… Besides, didn’t I tell you before? No matter what happens, I wouldn’t make a fuss about Wan-ah.”

Dan Seol-young’s hands trembled with frustration. She was grateful for her husband’s loyalty, yet exasperated by it, and equally frustrated with Mok Wan-ah for not claiming her due after saving his life twice.

As Tang Young mumbled in his sleep nearby, Dan Seol-young lowered her voice again.

“Just tell me, Mu-jin. Do you dislike Wan-ah? Be honest, without worrying about anything.”

”…No, that’s not it.”

If he hadn’t married Dan Seol-young, he might have had a good relationship with Mok Wan-ah. She had a good personality, and they got along well.

Dan Seol-young stood up and handed a box to Mok Wan-ah.

“What’s this?”

“Open it.”

Mok Wan-ah opened the box slightly and found a green dress inside. It was the expensive green dress Dan Seol-young had worn at her wedding.

What could this mean? Mok Wan-ah tensed up.

Dan Seol-young spoke to her.

“Wan-ah.”

“Yes?”

“Make sure no other woman comes into Mu-jin’s life from now on. Help me with that, will you?”

“Uh…”

Before Mok Wan-ah could respond, Dan Seol-young stood up and said,

“Mu-jin, don’t come into the main house for a month.”

“What? Then where am I supposed to sleep?”

“Ask Wan-ah.”

Dan Seol-young promptly kicked Tang Mu-jin out of the main house.

He expected Mok Wan-ah to be kicked out too, but surprisingly, Dan Seol-young didn’t send her away.

Tang Mu-jin sat under the eaves, gazing at the night sky.

The moon seemed unusually large, and the stars unusually bright.

’…’

Even if he was oblivious, he couldn’t fail to understand what was happening.

It was a strange feeling.

After a while, Mok Wan-ah came out of the annex and stood beside him. Her expression seemed a bit brighter than before.

“Mu-jin.”

“Yeah?”

“Come with me.”

Her voice was unusually confident, as if she had learned from someone.

Tang Mu-jin chuckled and followed her.

Dan Seol-young, holding the now-awake Tang Young, stepped out of the annex for a moment, watching the two walk away before letting out a small sigh. Then she returned inside as if nothing had happened.

Unbeknownst to the three, someone was watching them.

On the roof of the annex sat Sam An-bul and Hwa Yeon-shin.

They had been eavesdropping on the conversation for quite some time.

Hwa Yeon-shin spoke with a triumphant air.

“Not bad, right?”

Sam An-bul chuckled.

“More like a lucky guess. You didn’t know what would happen at Nokgun Mountain.”

“You don’t have to know everything to see the broadest path.”

In other words, it was a lucky shot. Sam An-bul laughed softly.

“You do have a way with words.”

“Well, I wonder how Seol-young is feeling.”

What must it be like for a woman to send her husband to another woman’s quarters?

Sam An-bul replied.

“No need to worry.”

He recalled the expression Dan Seol-young had shown before she returned to the annex.

Her eyes were filled with unwavering confidence.

Hwa Yeon-shin smiled.

“Is that the dignity of a first wife?”

“Seol-young isn’t just any woman.”

“Indeed.”

Without another word, Sam An-bul and Hwa Yeon-shin lay back on the roof.

It was a night where the stars seemed to pour down from the sky.