The Second Eunuch Regains His Manhood

Episode 207: From Eungong to Sangong

Ding-dong!

The appearance of the reception hall had transformed drastically compared to before my departure to the Demon Sect.

It had grown at least twice the size and was extravagantly expanded.

Wait, this is my home, why do I feel out of place?

Feeling slightly bewildered, I entered the reception hall with So Geom-hu.

The place where Geumhu resided was a separate wing located in the back garden of the reception hall. Providing a separate wing was a privilege only reserved for the highest-ranking guests among the sect’s visitors.

In fact, there hadn’t even been a separate wing before I went to the Demon Sect, let alone one that had suddenly appeared.

Seeing how luxurious the Gongdong Sect Main Base had become while I was away made it clear that Geumhu had poured money into the reconstruction of the Gongdong Sect.

So Geom-hu and I arrived at the separate wing’s courtyard. So Geom-hu hesitantly called out towards the separate wing’s royal chamber.

“Master! This girl has come with this noble gentleman! May we enter?”

In truth, if Geumhu were that skilled, she would have already sensed our presence.

Just as I suspected, the moment So Geom-hu finished speaking, creeeeak the door swung open.

With the art of air manipulation, Geumhu opened the door.

Behind the door stood her.

Before I knew it, it was nighttime. The moonlight streaming through the barred window illuminated a mysterious silver-haired beauty who seemed to rest on her shoulders.

It was Geumhu Eun Seol-ran.

Her eyes locked onto mine. The moment they met, Geumhu’s gaze wavered. Lowering her gaze, she spoke.

“Please, come in. Eungong, you too.”

As soon as she granted permission, I entered the room with Cheon Sobin.

Thud.

The door closed on its own as if it were an automatic door. Again, it was an application of the art of air manipulation.

So Geom-hu and I sat across from Geumhu at the table in the center.

Naturally, a tea set was placed on the table. Geumhu placed her hand on the teapot. As her inner strength infused into the teapot, it heated up rapidly.

After warming the tea with her internal energy, Geumhu poured it into my cup. The aroma of oolong tea lingered in the air.

“An Gye Cheol Gwan-eum, Eungong. I brewed it myself. I hope it suits your taste.”

Geumhu smiled lightly. A blush appeared on her fair cheeks.

The An Gye Cheol Gwan-eum was an oolong tea from Fujian Province, listed among the top ten famous teas of the Central Plains. It was a flavor I was familiar with from my past life. I gulped the tea down.

“It’s delicious.”

Much better than the trashy third-rate leaf tea I had been drinking back when the Gongdong Sect was poor.

“I’m glad it suits your taste.”

Geumhu smiled at me. Though not as stunning as my sister or Jeoksawol, she was beautiful enough to be called the top beauty of the Orthodox Faction. Especially now, Geumhu looked even more radiant than before.

I glanced at her. She didn’t appear as a warrior at all. It felt as if she was a regular person, completely devoid of pressure.

I discreetly expanded my inner energy to assess her current level.

Whoo-hoo-hoo.

Did she sense my energy? Geumhu smiled shyly.

Despite probing with my energy, I couldn’t gauge her level. It felt like staring into a vast darkness.

Geumhu and I were both in the same Hwakyung stage. Yet, the fact that I couldn’t assess her aura indicated she had ascended to a higher realm than me.

Maybe to Hyeongyeong.

‘Geumhu has reached the Hyeongyeong level?’

I already knew she was a master at the edge of Hwakyung. There were countless cases of Hwakyung masters being frustrated in front of Hyeongyeong’s Wall. Geumhu was one of those masters.

In my first life, Geumhu never reached Hyeongyeong and remained at Hwakyung until my death.

But this time around, it was different. She had broken through Hwa Kyung’s Wall and reached Hyeongyeong.

Hard to believe, but it was true.

“Geumhu, congratulations on reaching a grand level.”

I respectfully expressed my greetings to her.

Thump-thump.

In Geumhu’s view, there was only Sangong.

Heartbeat, heartbeat.

From the moment she heard Sangong’s voice, or rather, when Sangong walked into the reception hall, Geumhu’s heart had been racing.

Aah.

My lovely Sangong. Geumhu, who had become an absolute master at Hyeongyeong, could clearly see what level Sangong was currently at.

He was at the Hwakyung stage.

To ascend to the Hwakyung level before even reaching adulthood was an unimaginable talent. Although overshadowed by the prodigy Yu Jin-hwi, Sangong was indeed gifted.

Moreover, as a senior in the Martial World, Geumhu knew that reaching Hwakyung wasn’t simply based on talent. It required effort, as well as a sprinkle of luck.

Indeed.

Sangong had worked diligently. Striving for years to reach the Hwakyung level, one of the few in the Martial World.

The reason Sangong had labored was singular.

‘Could it be to make me his woman?’

Geumhu.

Because she was a master of Hwakyung, she aimed to win the battle of marriage and secure her place as Sangong’s woman.

That’s why Sangong had to endure rigorous martial arts training. As Geumhu thought of this, her face flushed.

‘Sangong, I’m so touched! You’ve gone through so much for me…’

Sangong’s heart had remained unchanged from the beginning to now.

As he said, he had been honing his martial arts while thinking of me all along. Only to take me as his wife.

How could she not be moved by that?

Yet the following words from Sangong caught Geumhu’s mood heavily.

“Geumhu, congratulations on achieving grand mastery.”

Grand mastery.

That’s right. Sangong recognized her level.

She had ascended to Hyeongyeong. Currently, Sangong could not defeat her. A wave of sadness washed over Geumhu.

‘Sangong, I’m so sorry. Even though you trained so hard, I suddenly became stronger…’

Once she turned adult, she would challenge him.

Geumhu believed this promise. But right now, even when she grew older, Sangong would unlikely be able to defeat her.

Her previously elevating mood sank again.

‘What should I do…’

Her marriage partner should ideally be Sangong. She needed no one else.

But at this rate… She had to intentionally lose. As Geumhu pondered over this, Sangong spoke.

“I heard from Cheon So-jeo. Do you have a concern? You don’t look too well, and I’m worried. After all, you immediately left the banquet…”

Sangong’s voice reached her ears. Geumhu’s mind returned.

Her heart raced, nearly bursting. She worried Sangong might hear her noisy heartbeat.

Even though he guessed her level, Sangong said nothing of it.

Instead, he worried about her. That thought filled Geumhu with emotion once more.

‘Sangong, you still… think of me first. I’m receiving such overwhelming concern from Sangong… I’m truly touched… Squee!’

Geumhu squealed inwardly while maintaining a gentle smile externally.

“No, I’m alright. Please don’t worry about me.”

When asked if she was alright, she showed a hint of something being hidden. But that was something she could let slide.

Anyone in the world has something they don’t want others to see.

It was okay.

[Hmph. I’m relieved Master is alright.]

So Geom-hu sent me a telepathic message. I slightly nodded at her words.

Just as I was breathing a sigh of relief internally, Geumhu spoke again.

“Actually, I have something to tell you, Eungong.”

Something to say?

I took a sip of the tea and spoke.

“What is it, Geumhu-senpai?”

Hesitating slightly, Geumhu said, “Eungong… um, you mentioned that once you come of age, you would challenge me. Are you still thinking the same?”

Seemingly worried that once she had reached Hyeongyeong, I might lose, she had asked such a question.

Looking at Geumhu, I replied without a flicker of hesitation.

“Yes. I will definitely challenge you, Geumhu-senpai, and make you my woman.”

Geumhu.

How could I possibly miss her, aiming for the Three Storey Tea House’s Wine Pond and Meat Forest?

Upon hearing my words, Geumhu’s eyes shimmered. Her lips quivered.

Her entire face flushed crimson.

Eyes downcast, Geumhu spoke, her earlobes red.

“I’m glad to hear that Eungong’s feelings haven’t changed.”

Fwoosh.

She gently grasped my hand with her trembling fingers.

The warm touch transmitted through my hand. She raised her gaze, her expression reminiscent of someone in love, a distant smile gracing her lips.

“However, before that, I wish to convey my feelings to you, Eungong. Embarrassingly… since three years ago, on the day you declared your challenge during the Orthodox Faction Competition… Um, I… have kept you in my heart…”

Geumhu’s voice quivered. Her cheeks blushed like the sunset.

The moment I heard her words.

My face burned red.

Was, was that a confession? Right?

My head whirled in confusion.

Geumhu said, “Of course, someone like me wouldn’t suit someone of your caliber… But if you truly wish…”

Geumhu’s words trailed off. Her gaze held a genuine light that was devoid of dishonesty.

I looked at Geumhu and bit my lip. This situation was unexpected. She already liked me…

My mind was in a frenzy. I quickly calmed down. It would be a lie to say I didn’t have feelings for Geumhu.

Otherwise, I wouldn’t have made my feelings evident three years ago.

But…

I can’t take her now. The time to establish the Three Storey Tea House is when I reach my peak strength. That had been my decision.

Plus, I hadn’t yet had my martial arts challenge with Geumhu. I planned to confidently defeat her and publicly declare her as my woman in front of the Nine Provinces and Eight Monarchs.

Moreover, my current status was similarly pressing.

To establish the Three Storey Tea House and form a harem, it was essential that my reputation spreads across the entire Central Martial World. Particularly, for the Three Storey Tea House I envision including the Lord of the Right.

To engage with senior figures in the Martial World like Geumhu, my fame must surpass theirs.

Yes.

Meaning, I had to defeat the Blood Sect to become a hero in the Martial World. Only by neutralizing the Blood Demon could I find peace to establish the safe Wine Pond and Meat Forest for myself and my women.

Achieving the ten-year criminal plan would only be complete once I neutralized Helma and became a hero in the Martial World.

I am patient. Thus, I can endure until the completion of my ten-year hero’s plan.

Until I crush the Blood Sect and the Blood Demon and can publicly claim Geumhu when I reach adulthood.

“…I understand Geumhu-senpai’s feelings.”

I spoke, gazing at Geumhu.

Her eyes trembled. I extended my hand and gently stroked Geumhu’s hair.

“Thus, I will ensure, when I come of age, that I take you as my woman and embrace you. Until that day, please wait for me.”

Yes.

Geumhu wasn’t completely ripened yet. I would wait until her charm blossomed fully.

The aesthetics of waiting are part of the Color Spectrum as well.

“Eungong!”

Upon hearing my words, Geumhu burst into tears and threw herself into my arms. I stroked her hair. Geumhu whispered to me.

“I will wait. Eungong, until the day you come of age, I can wait as long as it takes. Until the day I can call you Sangong…”

I smiled while comforting the weeping Geumhu.

Three years left until adulthood.

Now I must reach the Hyeongyeong stage within that time.

Thus, I thought, gently patting the back of Geumhu embraced in my arms.

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