Episode 338 of “Tangmunjeon”

About two weeks after Tang Mujin began teaching martial arts to the temple’s healers, he realized an unexpected side effect had emerged.

While it was heartening to see the healers earnestly practicing martial arts, it came at the cost of them neglecting their medical studies.

Not long ago, the healers would linger around the medical hall after sunset, gathering in small groups to discuss medical techniques by the light of small oil lamps.

But today was different. As dusk fell, all the healers retreated to their quarters.

It was obvious what they were doing. By now, they were likely sitting cross-legged, focusing on their breathing exercises.

Martial arts training is incredibly engaging. The most exciting period is undoubtedly right after one begins learning. Unlike seasoned masters who struggle to advance, newcomers experience clear progress daily. What once felt like a grain of millet becomes a grain of rice, then a bean.

With such evident progress from one day to the next, how could they not be captivated by martial arts?

However, Tang Mujin wished for the healers to remain true to their primary duties, so he couldn’t fully embrace this change.

“Hmm…”

As he pondered how to draw the healers back to the medical hall, he eventually let go of his concerns.

He realized that the healers wouldn’t easily reduce their training time.

Forcing them to abandon martial arts for medicine would only result in them staying up late to practice, then nodding off like sick chickens the next day.

Tang Mujin didn’t want that outcome.

Moreover, while they spent less time on medicine, they hadn’t abandoned it. By day, they were still dedicated healers, even if they were martial arts novices by night.

“Well, it would be odd to criticize them for being too enthusiastic about martial arts when I’m the one who taught them.”

The healers were experienced adults who would find their own balance.

Tang Mujin set aside his worries and focused on his daily life.

He played with the children, assisted Dan Seol-yeong, continued his research with Mok Wan-ah, and taught martial arts to the healers.

His days were so busy that even two bodies wouldn’t have been enough.

A few days later, a welcome guest arrived at the Tang family estate.

It was Sam An-bul.

Tang Mujin greeted Sam An-bul with a respectful bow after a long time apart.

“Sir, it’s been a while.”

“Over a year, hasn’t it? The atmosphere has changed a lot. Your achievements are quite impressive…”

As Sam An-bul spoke, he glanced around and noticed Namgung Myung and Hyun Gong sparring in a corner of the yard.

In that moment, Sam An-bul’s standards for “the achievements of a young man in his twenties over a year” rose a few notches.

Naturally, this meant Tang Mujin’s accomplishments seemed less impressive by comparison.

“You’ve made some progress, I see.”

”…”

A subtle compliment. Tang Mujin shifted the topic with a slightly awkward expression.

“By the way, sir, what kept you away for so long? We were quite worried since no one knew where you were.”

Sam An-bul let out a hearty laugh.

“Worried? With nothing else to worry about in the world, you were worried about me?”

As far as Tang Mujin remembered, Sam An-bul always seemed angry, even when he was just sitting still.

Even when he smiled, his face looked angry, and when he was truly angry, he looked even angrier. He even seemed angry while sleeping.

It was likely the marks of a life spent in constant conflict and struggle.

But now, Tang Mujin thought Sam An-bul’s expression seemed somewhat softer.

Sam An-bul continued speaking.

“I was just staying at a friend’s place for some business. No need to worry.”

“A friend? Did Master Sae Hon-nong visit?”

“No, not Sae Hon-nong. Someone else. Anyway, I was staying at a friend’s place, but a nuisance showed up, so I came back for a bit.”

Sam An-bul deflected Tang Mujin’s questions with vague answers. Tang Mujin didn’t press further.

But Sam An-bul, feeling slightly uncomfortable with the topic, changed the subject again.

“You seem uneasy. Feeling like you’re falling behind your friends, perhaps?”

“That’s not… Yes, actually, you’re right.”

The observation was so accurate that Tang Mujin couldn’t deny it.

When Tang Mujin admitted it, Sam An-bul grinned.

“There’s no shame in it. Competition is the fastest path to achievement.”

“You’re absolutely right.”

“Since we’re on the topic, how about a sparring match for old times’ sake?”

While Tang Mujin was getting a thorough lesson from Sam An-bul, Hyun Gong quietly slipped out of the Tang estate.

In the month since arriving at the estate, Hyun Gong had had ample time to consolidate the insights he gained upon reaching the pinnacle of martial arts.

But now, a new concern had arisen. He couldn’t find the clue to advance to the next level.

In such cases, it’s common to seek guidance from a superior master. Thus, Hyun Gong had been patiently waiting for Sam An-bul’s return, intending to ask for his guidance.

However, after witnessing Sam An-bul spar with Tang Mujin, Hyun Gong realized something.

While sparring with Sam An-bul could provide practical experience, it wouldn’t lead to the next level of achievement.

The paths Sam An-bul and Hyun Gong were on were vastly different. It wasn’t just a matter of Buddhist versus Taoist martial arts.

Sam An-bul pursued external martial arts, carving his path through real combat and fortuitous encounters.

In contrast, Hyun Gong valued internal martial arts, reaching the pinnacle through teachings and enlightenment.

Their paths were too different.

Hyun Gong was convinced that seeking guidance from Sam An-bul wasn’t the best decision.

“So, who should I seek guidance from now?”

“I’ve already severed ties with the Demonic Cult, and I won’t approach any unorthodox martial artists. Brother Jang is an option, but his advice tends to be vague. That leaves the head of the sect, Namgung Jincheon, Manryeokseung, and Yu Jin-gwang.”

“I don’t know where Namgung Jincheon is. Besides, if I seek his guidance, Namgung Myung will surely tease me. Let’s set Namgung Jincheon aside for now.”

“Manryeokseung and Yu Jin-gwang are also quite different from me. Manryeokseung focuses on external martial arts, and Yu Jin-gwang’s martial arts are polar opposites.”

The differences in martial arts were an issue, but there was another problem.

When Hyun Gong considered seeking guidance from other top masters, he found them lacking.

“Now that I’m a top master myself, it’s a bit humiliating to bow down to another so-called top master…”

Ultimately, the best choice for Hyun Gong was Youngbo Jin-in.

Hyun Gong believed Youngbo Jin-in was on a higher level than other top masters.

Moreover, he felt Youngbo Jin-in would understand his concerns best.

As he pondered this, another person came to mind.

Hwayeon Shin-ni.

Though Hwayeon Shin-ni was a figure of the unorthodox sects, she had achieved a level higher than most top masters. Even the most arrogant top masters would step back in her presence.

“Hwayeon Shin-ni…”

Instead of seeking guidance from Youngbo Jin-in, whom he had learned from countless times, Hyun Gong thought it might be a valuable experience to seek guidance from Hwayeon Shin-ni for once.

It would be an opportunity to view his martial arts from a perspective outside the Wudang sect.

Moreover, Chongqing was much closer than Wudang Mountain, a practical advantage.

“Alright. I’ll seek out Hwayeon Shin-ni.”

Hyun Gong set off at full speed towards Chongqing.

Upon arriving in Chongqing, Hyun Gong quickly gathered information about Hwayeon Shin-ni’s whereabouts through the Hao clan members and those affiliated with the Beggars’ Sect.

Knowing Hyun Gong was a friend of Tang Mujin, no one doubted him.

Finally, Hyun Gong reached Hwayeon Shin-ni’s residence and called out from beyond the door.

“Master Hwayeon Shin-ni, it’s Hyun Gong. Are you inside?”

The door slid open smoothly. But Hwayeon Shin-ni hadn’t touched the handle. She had opened it from the center of the room using telekinesis.

Hwayeon Shin-ni sat cross-legged, gazing at Hyun Gong.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen you alone. So, what brings you here?”

Even her voice carried the weight of profound internal energy and experience.

Hyun Gong spoke with genuine respect.

“I was curious about your well-being and also hoped to seek your guidance.”

However, Hwayeon Shin-ni’s response was lukewarm.

“Well, it’s good to keep in touch. But as for guidance… I’m not sure if I can be of help, even if I am your senior in the martial world.”

Hyun Gong detected the emotion behind Hwayeon Shin-ni’s words.

It wasn’t a lack of confidence. Beneath her calm voice lay a clear sense of annoyance.

“This isn’t starting well.”

Hyun Gong instinctively scanned the interior of Hwayeon Shin-ni’s residence.

For the abode of someone who could be considered the best in the martial world, it was surprisingly modest. Just a spacious room in a tavern.

Yet, Hyun Gong sensed a slight incongruity in the room.

“What is it?”

He rolled his eyes, scrutinizing the surroundings.

The first thing he noticed was the numerous books. He had heard that Hwayeon Shin-ni enjoyed romance novels, so it wasn’t particularly surprising.

Next to Hwayeon Shinni’s small frame, the bedding seemed almost comically oversized. Two pillows lay atop it, catching Hyungong’s sharp eye.

“Two pillows of the same size and shape?”

If there had been two different-sized pillows, one might assume they were used according to mood or sleeping position. But two identical pillows? That was suspicious.

Sensing something amiss, Hyungong asked Hwayeon Shinni, “How is Tuhui doing these days?”

“He’s been quite diligent lately.”

“Where might I find him to pay my respects? I assumed you both shared this room.”

“How could we share such a small space? Nanhyang uses a room on the first floor and the basement storage. His mind isn’t stable enough to share a room.”

It seemed that when lucid, he stayed on the first floor, and when his madness flared, he retreated to the basement. A sensible arrangement, indeed.

Yet, Hyungong’s unease lingered. If Tuhui was elsewhere, what explained the lived-in feeling of Hwayeon Shinni’s room? It didn’t seem like the space of just one person.

“Why does this bother me so much?”

Hyungong couldn’t pinpoint why his instincts were fixated on this oddity. But a seasoned martial artist never dismisses their instincts lightly. Hyungong, more than most, trusted his intuition.

To uncover the source of the other presence in the room, Hyungong scanned the floor. Hair is the most common trace people leave behind, shedding dozens of strands daily.

Yet, the only hair on the floor was Hwayeon Shinni’s long, white strands. A typical person might dismiss their suspicions as a mistake or a figment of their imagination, but Hyungong was no ordinary person.

His sharp mind proposed a new possibility.

“No, my instincts might still be right.”

A bold, provocative possibility, one only conceivable through unwavering trust in his intuition.

“What if the other person in the room had no hair?”

At that moment, a face flashed in Hyungong’s mind: Sam Anbul. He recalled overhearing a conversation between Sam Anbul and Tang Mujin, where the term “interloper” was used.

“Could that interloper be Tuhui, also known as Nanhyang?”

Hyungong made a decision. With a feigned look of surprise, he pointed and exclaimed, “Oh? Isn’t that Sam Anbul’s robe?”

Before the words were fully out, Hwayeon Shinni’s head snapped toward where Hyungong pointed. But there was nothing there. Her heart sank.

“A trick!”

Her eyes returned to Hyungong, who wore a subtle, knowing smile.

“Hmm… I see.”

Hyungong had instinctively seized upon Hwayeon Shinni’s vulnerability.

“Amitabha.”

For the first time in ages, Hwayeon Shinni muttered the Buddha’s name.