The New You

Nam Mu was walking behind Mule. “Did you see him?” “Are you sure. Looks more like a woman.” “Are you blind, he’s wearing mens clothes.” “Should we approach him?” Mule looked at Nam Mu to see his reaction. The latter looked very uncomfortable. “Are you not used to it?” Nam Mu shook his head. Mule looked at him crooking his head. “In my town, we don’t get many travellers and people are used to me. This attention is a little unpleasant.” Nam Mu explained. Mule hmmed. “I’m sure it will be over soon.” Nam Mu didn’t believe him but followed him anyway. His worries disappeared while looking around in amazement. His eyes and nose were bombarded with smells and colors he had never seen before. He thought that his town was diverse but walking around the capitals streets, he felt like a country pumpkin. He saw food and animals that he had never seen before.

There were stalls with exotic animals that Nam Mu had never seen before. There were furry animals in bright colors, hairless animals that looked menace and feathered animals who would peep or growl. He thought he even saw what looked like a dog with wings. At the next stall he saw baskets full of spices that looked like gems. The stall next was selling books from all over the world. Man Mu couldn't help but stop and admire them. His eyes grew big when he saw many famous books his teachers would talk about during class. With no money to his name, he was too scared to pick up any of the books. Instead he just looked at the titles hoping that one day he could own them. There were also many of them he couldn’t read because they were writing in foreign languages. He tried to decipher them but he couldn’t. He didn’t dare to ask the vendor for information. He also heard people talk in languages he had never heard before.

“Can you…” Nam Mu turned to discover a strange man staring at him. “Sorry. I thought you were my friend.” The man smiled but Nam Mu didn’t like the meaning of his smile. “Not a problem. I’ve never seen you before. May I have yours?” Nam Mu looked around to discover that he had lost Mule. He looked past the man before quickly walking away. “Wait!” He ignored the man and began frantically looking around. Mule being born and raised in the capital didn’t find it all amazing. He had been walking towards the tavern without looking behind him. “We’re here.” Mule stopped and turned to discover that nobody was behind him. “Weasels! Where did he go!” Mule let out a deep sigh and prepared to walk back when he saw Nam Mu running towards him.

He could see by his wide eyes that Nam Mu had been searching for him. “Master Nam! Master Nam!? Over here!” He smiled when he saw Nam Mu’s relieved face. “Sorry! I…” Mule let out a deep laugh stopping his words. “It’s alright. You don’t have to worry. Just be careful next time. Let’s go in.” Nam Mu gave him a nod before following Mule inside. His mouth dropped open when they entered. The outside looked like an ordinary tavern but the inside looked like a palace. Not that Nam Mu knew what a palace looked like but when he imagined a palace it would sure look like Shinwonmat.

Shinwonmat had four floors. The first floor was open with small round tables and zaisu. There were six large wooden pillars in the middle of the room. The second, third and fourth floors seem to be private rooms. What made the place even more wondrous were the pastel colored fabrics draping from the ceiling. The whole place was lit with glowing lights descending from the pillars. “Close your mouth. You might swallow a fly.” Mule laughed looking at his surprised face. Nam Mu blinked a few times before closing his mouth. “It’s amazing. How can a place like this exist?” Mule shook his head. “This is simple. There are other places that are more grand. You’ll find this place also simple in a few months.” Nam Mu was sure that Mule wasn’t lying but right now standing in the tarven, he could hardly believe that what he was seeing now was just ‘simple’. “Follow me.”

Mule walked further inside before turning a corner. Nam Mu followed behind thinking that they were going to the second floor but instead he was dumbstruck when they entered a large courtyard filled with blossoming trees. The place was filled with petals and a fruity smell. Nam Mu took a deep breath, enjoying the subtle smell. Placed under each tree were large tables. Nam Mu observed that everybody was sitting on the tables. “Are there no chairs?” Mule shook his head. “These are called Pyung Sang. They are outdoor ‘floors’ that you share with people, even strangers. You can use it to sit, lean, and lie upon while dining.” Nam Mu nodded looking around in amazement. "Mule! Mule! Over here!" They looked up to see a man who had a strong resemblance to Mule waving at them. “Weasels! What is he doing here?!” Mule looked worried while walking towards the table the man was sitting on.

He took off his shoes and sat next to the man. "What brings you here?" Mule couldn’t believe the misfortune of seeing his brother in Shinwonmat. Nam Mu silently sat next to Mule. Mule turned to Nam Mu with a slight panicked look on his face. “Young master Nam Mu, this is my brother Hoa Yo. He works in the palace as a scribe.” Nam Mu bowed, making Hoa Yo lift his brow. He finally understood Mule’s panic. If they messed up, Hoa Yo would find out straight away that they were lying. Hoa Yo was the opposite of Mule. Mule was slim and dark. Hoa Yo was plump, his pale skin suggested that he was inside most of the time. “Master Nam… I’ve never seen you before.”

Man Mu’s lip twisted. He didn’t know what to say to that. Mule saw his near panic and took over. “Master Nam Mu arrived today after traveling for a long time. Forgive him for being slow.” Mule gave his brother a shrug. Hoa Yo squint. He knew that Mule was lying and he wanted to know why. “No offence taken.” Nam Mu scattered his nose. “I’ m sorry. I'm still overwhelmed by everything. This is my first time in the capital. My father sent me here to participate in the royal civil examination.” Hoa Yo’s face turned sour. “No brother. Don’ t pull that face. We really didn’t know you were here. Do you really think I would have brought a guest here just so you can help us with the exam? Please don’t think too highly of yourself.” Nam Mu looked at Mule in confusion. He didn’t know if it was a good idea to aggravate Hoa Yo. He leaned over before whispering in Mule’ s ear. “Should we go sit somewhere else?”

Nam Mu tried not to make eye contact with Hoa Yo. But the latter was already looking at them with more interest. Mule shook his head. “Master Nam is just curious. His father just told him to go and do the exam. He didn’t give any further explanation.” Nam Mu nodded. “I really have no idea what to do or expect. That’s why I was asking. I’m sorry if I have offended you.” Hoa Yo looked at Nam Mu wondering where this person came from. His speech was that of a native but his dressing was a disarray of garbs from the Three Kingdoms and their neighbors. Mule had said that he was a ‘young master’ but his mannerism was nearing grovelling and weak. What would have happened for a young noble to become like that?

What was further astonishing was Nam Mu’s appearance. Hoa Yo has seen many good-looking people while working and living in the capital. But Nam Mu’s beauty was something out of the ordinary. The androgynous aesthetic with Nam Mu was just perfect. His look was neither male nor female but still a striking beauty. Hoa Yo noticed that Nam Mu was aware of his looks and that it made him uncomfortable. Nam Mu had looked up just once. Hoa Yo was becoming more fascinated by Nam Mu. He decided to find out more about the boy. But first he ordered drinks and food for the three of them. He wanted to observe Nam Mu more and see if he could get more information out of him. “I hope you don’t mind me ordering for you too.” Nam Mu shook his head before bowing. “It’s my honor.” Hoa Yo really didn’t know what to think of Nam Mu.

“Nam Mu tell me more about yourself!” Nam Mu tried to stay calm but even Mule could see the alarmed look on his face. “Like you don’t want to talk about the exam, Master Nam Mu doesn’t like to talk about himself.” Hoa Yo brow went up again. ‘What are they hiding?’ “Then what can you tell me?” Nam Mu gave him a remorseful look. “If.. If we become more acquainted. I’ll tell you more about myself.” Hoa Yo thought that Nam Mu was a shrewd young man. Instead of feeling offended, he was getting excited to find out more about Nam Mu. “Ah, here is the food.” Nam Mu looked up to see two attendants walking over with trays. The trays were actually small tables with an assortment of food. “Are you familiar with these?” Nam Mu wasn’t but he needed to act like he did. “It’s been a while since I had these.” Hoa Yo smiled. “Shinwonmat has the best food outside Goryeo. I’ve been there many years ago and the food here tastes precisely like I had.” Nam Mu gave a polite smile. “Don’t be shy! Eat!” Nam Mu and Mule grabbed their chopsticks, waiting for Hoa Yo to start eating. Nam Mu wished they hadn’t come.

Mule wished the same thing. He knew his brother too well. Hoa Yo was 2 years older than him. While Hoa Yo was scholar from the moment he could talk, Mule was a man of action. People thought that Mule was jealous of his older brother but that was not the case. He just didn’t like his know-it-all attitude. While the attendants were setting up the food, Mule nudged Nam Mu. He mouthed. “Just follow his lead.” Nam Mu nodded. He and Mule watched Hoa Yo closely and ate according to Hoa Yo picks. “Brother, you just said you’ve been to Goryeo. Why did you go there?” Hoa Yo swallowed the food in his mouth. “It was a while back but the king of Goryeo had invited our old king, may the Gods have mercy on his soul, to celebrate the anniversary of the unification of the Kingdom. As you know, Goryeo used to split into the kingdoms Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla.

These kingdoms would fight and invade each other. Our kingdom would sometimes send troops and other resources to Silla. The new ruler wanted our king to see what his help had done." He looked around before leaning closer to Mule and Nam Mu. "Our old king even helped in the talks during the unification.” Both Mule and Nam Mu's feign were surprised. “But that is a story for another time.” “That is amazing. Brother, could you tell Master Nam more about your travels?” Hoa Yo eyes grew big. “But of course.” Hoa Yo started to tell them about the places he had gone to. Nam Mu was listening with his mouth open and big eyes." Even though he was nervous, Hoa Yo stories were still captivating. Hours later Hoa Yo looked at his timepiece and gasped. “Look at the time! I need to go back. I’ve been talking too much. Food is on me. I hope to meet you again. Goodbye Master Nam Mu… little brother.”

Hoa Yo stood up in a hurried manner, leaving Mule and Nam Mu behind. Nam Mu watched Hoa Yo go before putting down his chopsticks. “That was really nerve breaking but very informative.” Mule nodded. “My brother loves to hear himself talk. He usually forgets everything else. You just need to find a subject he loves. Nam Mu smiled. “I’ll try to remember that for the next time.” “We really need to come up with a watertight story. I hope Master Jin will be able to create one tonight.” Mule scratched his head.