The Second Eunuch Regains His Manhood

240th Chapter: The Return of the Golden Robes

Our party left the ruins of the Mosan Sect and took a break at the Qiao Tian Palace in Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, before heading back to Beijing.

The escort and guidance were provided by the Dongchang agents. Through conversations with them, I managed to gather information about the current state of affairs in the world.

The capture of Yongak Majon was successful. However, he deliberately leaked information to us, claiming that he absolutely could not violate Liaodong, then cut off his own lifeline and committed suicide.

Right after his self-destruction, news came in about the defeat in the Battle of Sarhu and the establishment of the Later Jin.

Indeed.

While Hyulma and Yongak Majon were drawing aggro, plans in Liaodong had already been completed.

Moreover, the place where Hyulma was located was none other than Baekdusan.

‘Why is that rascal Hyulma at Baekdusan as if he’s some Changbai Mountain monster?’

The contents of the martial arts novel I had read in my previous life came to mind.

The next step was obvious.

Preparation for the invasion of the Central Plains.

No matter how high his martial arts skills soared, he still couldn’t leave Baekdusan.

A puppet state and army were needed to conduct the conquest of the Central Plains in his stead.

The Later Jin, established in this otherworldly medieval Manchuria, was essentially Hyulma’s puppet state.

Although Aisin Gioro Incheong claimed to be the sorrow of the Later Jin, it was clear that the state affairs of the Later Jin would be controlled by the members of the Blood Sect.

‘The reason the northern nomadic tribes have never violated the Central Plains until now is because they have lost all contact with their Rising Martial Arts.’

The Mongols and the Jurchens originally had their own Rising Martial Arts.

Especially the combination of martial arts and horsemanship was nothing short of miraculous. Nomadic Cavalrymen, who achieved unity between man and horse through Rising Magic, were akin to reapers of death on the battlefield.

Indeed, the Mongols conquered the world.

However, the Jurchens lost their unique Rising Martial Arts and magic throughout the process of the fall of the Jin Dynasty, while the Mongols did the same during the fall of the Yuan Dynasty.

Thus, the once powerful northern nomadic tribes could no longer set their sights on the Central Plains again.

For this reason, surveillance over the northern nomadic tribes had been relatively lax.

‘Perhaps even this situation was induced by Hyulma.’

Manchuria was the stronghold of the Blood Sect and Hyulma.

And the Blood Sect boldly occupied the number one spot on the imperial blacklist as traitors. If I were Hyulma, I’d want to escape the Empire’s watch as much as possible. So, he would create chaos among the Jurchens to ease the Empire’s monitoring.

Thus, he bided his time for three hundred years, laying his foundation in Manchuria while aiming for a comeback to the Central Plains.

After all, the Jurchens lacked the Rising Martial Arts and esteemed fighters, which could easily be compensated by the strength of the Blood Sect.

If Hyulma’s plans went as intended, history would repeat itself, with the northern nomadic tribes establishing a conquering dynasty in the Central Plains. A Qing Dynasty ruled by Hyulma would rise on Central Plains soil.

Honestly, I didn’t care about the history of this world’s China, and I had no issue with people sporting tight-cropped hairstyles due to Qing rule—the probability of the Qing devolving into a puppet state under Hyulma was almost zero.

So, mobilizing the Empire’s forces to conquer Liaodong was crucial. A preemptive strike against Manchuria was necessary while they were gathering strength.

‘The Emperor thinks the same way as me.’

And indeed, the Emperor was acting with the same thoughts.

Not only had he sent emissaries to every foreign power in the vicinity, but he had also issued an imperial command to the Martial Alliance to gather all martial factions in the world for full mobilization.

Seeing the Emperor in such a determined disposition made me feel proud for no reason.

It felt like a father watching his daughter grow up and handle her own responsibilities.

With a seemingly self-sufficient emperor taking charge without my guidance, it looked like she could stand on her own.

Thinking about these various things, our party left Nanjing and galloped on horseback, finally arriving in Beijing.

“So this is Beijing.”

“Just as I heard, it’s an incredibly large city.”

“Wow, it’s amazing, Dad.”

It seemed it was the first time for the unamused Geumhu, the feigning impassivity Wisa, and the excited Sosumahu, all amazed by the view of Beijing after a long time.

The scenery of the bustling capital city with over a million residents had not changed much.

Compared to modern metropolises, it was a humble size, but the streets filled with tiled houses held a unique antique charm.

“Have you never been to Beijing? Stop acting like country bumpkins already,” scolded the red-haired beauty, Jeoksawol, next to me.

“I envy you, Senior Yeomwang, for your vast experiences. I’m younger than you, so I’ve never been to Beijing,” Geumhu laughed as she responded to Jeoksawol.

“Hmph. Is being younger something to brag about?” “Isn’t it better than being older, Senior?”

Zing!

With that, the rivalry between Geumhu and Jeoksawol began to stir the atmosphere around us.

I pressed my temples.

What kind of unnecessary competition was this on such a glorious day when we were to meet the Emperor?

“Both of you, stop it. Today is an auspicious day for meeting His Majesty. Let’s refrain from fighting.”

At my cold remark, both averted their gazes from each other.

“Understood. Wisa.”

“Ah, I see. Gaga.”

What I said wasn’t a joke; it was serious.

Regardless, the Dongchang agents led us towards the royal garden of the Central South Sea.

The Central South Sea.

It was like my old home, as I had spent time here with the Emperor during my previous life.

As I gazed at the endless expanse of the vast lake and the surrounding forest, the nostalgia washed over me anew.

“……Wow……”

“……The scenery is incredible.” “Senior Sosumahu is right.”

“What a sight for the palace gardens.”

Wisa exclaimed in awe.

Sosumahu gazed at the Central South Sea with sparkling eyes.

Geumhu chimed in to agree with her.

Finally, Jeoksawol, who was trying desperately to maintain her pride, twitched her lips.

Indeed, the palace gardens weren’t a place open to everyone.

Especially since, unlike the Forbidden City, the Central South Sea was strictly a personal domain of the Emperor.

‘It’s been a while.’

The sensation of the lakeside breeze against my body was as clear as ever.

We soon arrived at the lake called Southern Sea, one of the two lakes in the Central South Sea.

At its center stood an island with pavilions named Namdae, which was our destination for today.

Our party boarded a boat drifting on the water. The court eunuch, acting as the rower, stroked the oars, and the boat glided smoothly through the water.

The scenery surrounding us was always breathtaking. It felt like understanding why boating was considered a high-class hobby.

Arriving at Namdae on the boat, pavilions were scattered around like a villa.

“Stop. The Crown Princess has requested a private audience first with Gongdong Sect’s Martial Department Lee Cheol-soo. Lee Cheol-soo is invited inside.”

The Golden Restricted Position Technique official came out, separating our group. The remaining members of the group were guided to another pavilion, while I followed the official into the heart of Namdae.

Familiar sights flashed by as I walked.

Finally, in front of me stood the largest and most magnificent pavilion.

“I have summoned you for a private audience; the official should leave. I desire complete confidentiality with Lee Cheol-soo.”

A voice filled with great power resonated from within the pavilion.

It was the Emperor’s voice.

Three years had passed since Yongbong Jiyeo. The Emperor was now physically fourteen years old.

An age where adolescence begins in earnest.

In my previous life, the Emperor had exhibited quite a few typical teenage behaviors around this age, which was certainly troublesome.

Of course, that was then, and looking back now, all of it was just a fond memory.

“I understand.”

The official bowed politely and stepped back quickly.

Monitoring the area with my spiritual senses, I sensed no other unusual presences nearby.

Only the Golden Restricted Position Technique members and Dongchang martial artists maintaining watch from afar.

Just as the Emperor assured, it was indeed a complete private audience. They wouldn’t know what discussions we held.

Naturally, given that the Central South Sea was where the imperial estate was located, heightened guard measures were expected.

It was completely natural for the barriers around the entire Central South Sea to be operational, and the Emperor’s direct guards were deployed, skillfully executing their security operations.

I took a deep breath while gazing at the pavilion door.

Strangely enough, whenever I was about to meet the Emperor in this life, I got inexplicably nervous.

While I was hesitating outside, a voice trembling came from inside.

“……Please come in.”

It was the Emperor.

Finally gathering my resolve, I moved my feet and entered the pavilion.

Creek.

As the door closed behind me, I was engulfed in the moment.

“Noya!”

She rushed towards me and embraced me. Now she was the Crown Princess, taking her place as the national foundation. Dressed in the red dragon robe symbolizing the foundation, she buried herself in my embrace.

“Noya. I’ve missed you. How have you been? Are you hurt at all from dealing with Hyulma?”

She reached for my chest and body, scanning for any wounds.

Tears glistened in her golden eyes.

It seemed she was quite worried.

I gently wiped her tears away with my hand.

“Ah……”

Her body trembled as she noticed the ring on my left ring finger.

The same ring sat on her own left ring finger.

It was a ring gifted to me by her during the Yongbong Jiyeo.

“Please don’t cry, Your Majesty. I’m perfectly fine like this, see? Let’s address the formalities first…”

I still hadn’t made the proper greetings.

This was because the Emperor had come to embrace me first. Of course, with my skills at the level of a Perfect Diplomat, I could have dodged her embrace, but that just wasn’t the way to go.

While I spoke, I attempted to gently push her away.

“……I don’t want to.”

But the Emperor pouted, sticking to my waist and refusing to budge.

“What need is there for formalities between Noya and me? Haven’t I told you countless times?”

The Emperor looked at me with a slightly sulky expression. Her golden eyes sparkled.

Yes, it was because of this attitude of hers that I had ended up receiving useless titles in my previous life. Nine Honors—what use was that?

Having spent so long together, I understood her. When she made that face, there was no chance to convince her; she was as stubborn as they come.

“Fine then.”

“And you can feel free to speak to me without formalities.”

Swish.

The Emperor reached out, stroking my head.

“That is unacceptable.”

I firmly rejected her.

Even in my previous life, she had insisted on me dropping formalities, but I repeatedly refused.

Especially in a situation where rumors of my reincarnation were swirling and petitions to the throne were being lodged, addressing the Emperor casually would spark outrage among the gentry.

One could only imagine the things they might say, similar to the petitions over axe executions and mass accusations in Joseon.

“……I understand.”

The Emperor pouted again, looking dejected. I gently stroked her hair without saying a word.

“I heard you’ve taken your place as the national foundation.”

“Of course, it’s a necessary step.”

“Well done, Your Majesty. Your handling of the recent turmoil with the Blood Sect and the Jurchens was excellent.”

I praised the Emperor, a content smile naturally forming on my lips.

She was now truly capable of managing things in my absence. It felt like just yesterday I was worried about her like a child left to fend for themselves at the water’s edge.

The Emperor’s face turned bright red receiving my gentle pat.

“Thank you for the praise, Noya.”

She whispered in a trembling voice while still nestled in my embrace, almost as if sharing a secret.

Once again, the Emperor pulled away from my arms.

“Noya.”

She called me, her face flushed, brushing her hair aside as she averted her gaze.

“……I have something to tell you, Noya…”

From the moment she tucked her hair behind her ear, I had my suspicions. I knew she would have something to disclose. It was her habit to do this whenever she had an important announcement.

Hmm, I wonder what it could be.

The content piqued my curiosity as I looked at her. Her cheeks flushed even redder at my gaze, and she bit her lips before slowly speaking to me.

---