Chapter 397: Connections
When Tang Mujin readily agreed, Huayan Shinni assigned him his role as if she had anticipated his response.
“I’ll oversee this operation and support Nanhyang. You, on the other hand, will manage Il-nam. Women with women, men with men. Understood?”
“Understood.”
Tang Mujin nodded, but soon felt a wave of uncertainty. He had no idea where to begin.
In the end, he called out to Huayan Shinni, who was about to leave.
“Master.”
“Yes?”
“On second thought, this situation is a bit tricky.”
“What’s the problem?”
Tang Mujin scratched his head awkwardly.
“People often think I’m adept at understanding women because I’ve captured the hearts of two. But in truth, I’m not very skilled in matters of romance.”
Huayan Shinni nodded in agreement, her expression saying, ‘At least you know your limits.’
But Tang Mujin wasn’t finished.
“The only things I have going for me are my natural charm, looks, and manly demeanor. Women tend to be drawn to me naturally, so I’ve never had to think about how to intentionally win someone over. It’s like a fish never needing to learn how to swim.”
”…”
“Not every master makes a good teacher, as they say.”
A fierce irritation flared up within Huayan Shinni, but she took a deep breath to calm herself. She couldn’t afford to mess things up before they even started.
Instead, she pressed her temples and waved Tang Mujin off.
“Mujin, I was wrong. Just go and bring Hyungong. He’ll surely be of help.”
Tang Mujin was taken aback.
“That’s not possible.”
“Why not?”
“Hyungong recently lost a loved one. How could you discuss relationships with him? You really don’t understand people’s feelings.”
Tang Mujin looked at Huayan Shinni with a slightly exasperated expression.
Only then did Huayan Shinni realize that Seolhwa was nowhere to be seen.
Of course, she had spoken without knowing the full story, but it cost her the upper hand.
“Well… never mind. Forget I mentioned Hyungong. Let’s also drop the idea of each handling one person.”
“Then how should we divide the roles?”
“There’s no need to split up. I’ll handle the major tasks, and you just assist me.”
“Understood.”
Tang Mujin agreed, though he didn’t fully trust Huayan Shinni either.
He acknowledged her wealth of indirect experience, but she had only been in one relationship herself. Unlike Tang Mujin, she had never been married.
This made Tang Mujin feel a bit superior.
“First, let’s hear your thoughts. How do you assess the current situation, Master Huayan?”
“Nanhyang is clearly interested in Il-nam. But Il-nam’s feelings are uncertain. If I had to guess, he seems closer to not having any romantic interest.”
“Are you sure about Lady Nanhyang’s feelings?”
Tang Mujin was still unsure how to address Weiji Nanhyang. Calling her “Lady” was forbidden, and “Big Sister” was inappropriate for an unmarried woman. The safest options were “Miss Weiji” or simply “Nanhyang.”
Huayan Shinni confidently replied to Tang Mujin’s question.
“Absolutely. Would a woman wipe the tears of a man she doesn’t care for?”
“Hmm. I see. So what should we do next?”
Huayan Shinni pondered for a moment before answering decisively.
“Relationships often begin with both parties, intentionally or not, showcasing their charms to each other.”
“That’s true.”
“Yes. Nanhyang’s charm is undeniable. Adding more might even be too much. But the issue is with Il-nam. He needs to show more of himself, so Nanhyang feels compelled to pursue him.”
“Should we get him some stylish clothes?”
Huayan Shinni shook her head.
“No, quite the opposite. Il-nam may have put down his sword, but he still practices with a wooden one, doesn’t he?”
“Yes, he does.”
“When Il-nam is training, subtly encourage or create a situation where he takes off his shirt. If not, at least have him loosen his collar. This is your most important task.”
”…Excuse me?”
Tang Mujin looked at Huayan Shinni with suspicion. Was she trying to satisfy her own desires?
But there was no such hint in her eyes.
“The most effective way to showcase a man’s appeal is through his muscles. Broad shoulders and a strong back from years of sword training are ideal. Il-nam has trained for a long time, so he should have an impressive physique.”
”…I see.”
“A light sheen of sweat on his muscles would be even better. It makes him appear more dynamic and masculine.”
“Won’t the sweat smell? It might seem a bit unclean…”
Huayan Shinni firmly countered Tang Mujin’s objection.
“No, it’s fine within reason. As long as it’s not excessive, it can actually be a positive factor.”
Tang Mujin grew a bit suspicious of Huayan Shinni. Her tastes seemed to have become oddly specific.
‘Muscles, huh. I think I understand why she chose Master Sam Anbul…’
Suddenly, a thought crossed Tang Mujin’s mind.
How did Huayan Shinni end up with Sam Anbul in the first place?
Tang Mujin decided to satisfy his curiosity immediately.
“Master.”
“Yes?”
“Could you tell me how you and Master Sam Anbul became ‘close’?”
Huayan Shinni hesitated, then began to speak haltingly.
“Well… it was some kind of celebration. I think it was your father’s birthday.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Sam Anbul was quite drunk that day. He couldn’t even stand straight, so I decided to help him home.”
The story was suspicious from the start.
Sam Anbul, once a monk, rarely drank. Even when he did, it took a lot to get him drunk.
What could have happened for him to be so inebriated?
‘Did she force him to drink?’
A reasonable suspicion.
Moreover, the idea that Huayan Shinni helped him alone was dubious.
The size difference between them was significant. It was unlikely others would have left her to support him by herself.
Tang Mujin imagined a hunter dragging a trapped prey down a mountain.
Unaware of Tang Mujin’s thoughts, Huayan Shinni continued her story.
“Coincidentally, Il-nam was away from home that day.”
“I see.”
As far as Tang Mujin knew, Jang Il-nam rarely left home.
He spent his days caring for children, practicing with a wooden sword, and then returning home to sleep.
The chances of him leaving voluntarily were slim.
It was more likely he was kicked out or had some reason he couldn’t return home.
“Sam Anbul, drunk, started sharing old stories. The alcohol must have lowered his guard. I realized this was rare and listened for a long time. Eventually, he confessed his feelings.”
“You must have been surprised.”
This part seemed plausible.
But the earlier parts of the story had lost too much credibility. Now, everything Huayan Shinni said sounded like a lie.
“I was taken aback, but I decided to accept his feelings. We had much in common—both had turbulent lives, both had been in the monastic order, and both had left it. Such lives are rare, and I felt no one else could understand Sam Anbul like I could.”
In reality, it seemed more likely that the roles were reversed in this story.
Tang Mujin nodded without revealing his thoughts, and Huayan Shinni concluded her tale.
“After talking all night, we realized we had grown closer.”
Huayan Shinni’s ears turned slightly red. Tang Mujin found the timing suspicious. Was it really just talking?
Instead of pressing her with his doubts, Tang Mujin played along.
“You’re fortunate to have found someone to rely on.”
“Yes. I hope Il-nam and Nanhyang can find the same in each other. So please help them.”
“Understood.”
As he answered, Tang Mujin instinctively realized.
No matter the process, the outcome would likely involve getting Jang Il-nam thoroughly drunk.
The next day, Tang Mujin and Huayan Shinni discreetly observed Jang Il-nam and Weiji Nanhyang from a hidden spot.
To make progress in any endeavor, the first step is to thoroughly understand the subject at hand.
However, the connection between the two individuals remained elusive.
By lunchtime, Jang Il-nam had swapped his usual casual attire for something more polished and neat.
Tang Mu-jin whispered, “Looks like he’s planning to go somewhere.”
“I think so too. Could he be sneaking off for a secret rendezvous with Wi Ji-nahyang?”
Of course, that wasn’t the case.
Jang Il-nam wandered back and forth from the annex, eventually emerging with Tang Mu-jin’s three daughters: Tang Yeong, Tang I-ryeong, and Tang Hae-won. The eldest, Tang Yeong, was already six, while Tang I-ryeong and Tang Hae-won were three. They were at that delightful age where they toddled around with boundless energy.
Jang Il-nam took the children out of the Tang family estate and began exploring the nearby alleys. After watching this for about half an hour, Tang Mu-jin yawned.
“Seems like they’re just out for a stroll.”
“Don’t lose focus. Wait a minute. He seems to be up to something.”
Jang Il-nam started glancing around quietly. Then, he pulled a small pouch from his pocket and took out a silver coin.
He stealthily approached a nearby vendor and bought a generous amount of sweet treats.
With the children’s hands in his, he swiftly moved into a deserted alley.
Tang Mu-jin remarked, “No wonder Seol-yeong was complaining that the kids haven’t been eating well lately… So that’s the reason.”
Tang Mu-jin had inadvertently uncovered a hidden secret of the Tang household.
Watching Jang Il-nam and the children, Hwa Yeon-shin turned to Tang Mu-jin and asked, “Isn’t that something you should be doing, not Il-nam?”
”…I always feel guilty towards the children.”
“Just words?”
As Jang Il-nam watched with a satisfied smile, the three children quickly devoured the sweets.
He wandered the streets with them until they had digested the treats, then headed back to the Tang estate.
“A little mischief, but harmless.”
Yet, it wasn’t as if they hadn’t learned anything.
Hwa Yeon-shin frowned. “There are more women interested in Il-nam than I thought.”
“I was surprised too.”
Several women, both older and some barely in their twenties, would subtly approach him, get a bit too close, or try to offer him small snacks.
“I told you, if a man is handsome and capable, age doesn’t matter much. In fact, many women prefer a man they can rely on.”
“But it seems Il-nam doesn’t even realize they’re flirting. He didn’t notice when Miss Nahyang showed interest either, did he?”
Hwa Yeon-shin looked at Tang Mu-jin and replied, “Don’t worry. I know exactly how to handle such situations.”
“Understood.”
Not long after Jang Il-nam returned to the estate, Wi Ji-nahyang also stepped out.
She wore her usual simple clothes, without any makeup.
But unlike Jang Il-nam, a completely different scene unfolded.
Wi Ji-nahyang walked with a lively and confident stride.
Yet, unlike Jang Il-nam, who blended naturally into the crowd, Wi Ji-nahyang stood out.
The reason was simple: her presence and appearance irresistibly drew the eyes of those around her.
Most people in the marketplace didn’t know who Wi Ji-nahyang was, nor that she was a martial artist.
But people instinctively kept their distance. Even the men.
Every man instinctively realized that she was no ordinary person, someone who couldn’t blend in with the common folk.
Wi Ji-nahyang seemed unfazed by their reactions.
Tang Mu-jin muttered to himself, ”…This won’t be easy. They’re complete opposites.”
“The challenge makes it all the more meaningful. Just trust me.”
“But where is Miss Nahyang headed?”
Wi Ji-nahyang cautiously looked around before slipping into a deserted, shadowy alley. Despite it being midday, the alley was so dark that barely any sunlight reached it.
At that moment, something large and dark moved in the shadows.
‘What is that?’
Tang Mu-jin squinted to get a better look.
He quickly recognized the figure. It was Sam An-bul.
Sam An-bul and Wi Ji-nahyang exchanged friendly nods before disappearing together.
“Uh…”
Tang Mu-jin glanced to his side.
And there he saw Hwa Yeon-shin’s eyes, burning like the fires of hell.