The Second Eunuch Regains His Manhood

42nd Chapter: Is This Gongdong Sect?

‘My pork!’

The moment I smelled the burning, I stood up despite the pain in my insides.

Seoharin.

She, whose title as the daughter of the innkeeper made little sense, had absolutely no talent in cooking—almost to the point where it could be said she had none at all.

I already knew this from the intel I obtained in my past life at the Hwanggung.

The cold-hearted swordmistress Seoharin wasn’t on par with the world’s number one swordsman Yujinhwi, but she was one of the influential figures in the martial world.

It wasn’t just Seoharin.

I had the information on present powers like Unai Samjon and Gyeongcheon Shichilju, as well as the future strong masters all in my head.

Anyway, Seoharin’s father, Seodaein, was also well aware that Seoharin had no talent in cooking.

So, her duties at the inn were likely limited to serving rather than cooking.

But to entrust cooking to her!

Especially precious pork, a vital energy source!

“Sa, saje?!”

When I kicked off the blanket to stand up, Sa-hyeong’s eyes widened.

Damn it, maybe it was just too effective this time, but other than slight dizziness, nausea, and swaying, I wasn’t in that much pain.

“Saje! Wh-what’s wrong?”

“There’s a burning smell coming from the kitchen… right now, we must go…”

I had to go.

Even if pork was one of the most common meats, in this pre-modern era, it was still a considerably precious ingredient.

I couldn’t just let such valuable ingredients go to waste.

“…It’s true, it smells burnt… Saje, I’ll help you. Get on my back.”

Did she smell the burning now? With a serious look, she leaned her back toward me.

Get on someone’s back… a man’s back… I’d rather die than do that, but this was an emergency.

I couldn’t be choosy about hot or cold rice.

As much as I didn’t want to climb on Sa-hyeong’s back, the thought of burning pork was even more horrifying.

“Alright.”

I accepted the humiliation of climbing on Sa-hyeong’s back and exited the room.

From her back, the scent of wildflowers intensified.

Shuuhh…

Sa-hyeong, having left the room, unfurled the Defensive Technique of Flowing Cloud and Water and swiftly escaped the Cheongun Pavilion.

“We’ve arrived.”

In the blink of an eye, we reached the kitchen.

I unsteadily descended from her back.

Even though I had no choice but to get on a man’s back, I had no intention of staying any longer.

With trembling hands, I opened the kitchen door.

Hack, cough!

As I opened the door, there was Seoharin, coughing in the thick smoke.

And a pot boiling over and flames raging.

The state of the meat inside was obvious without needing to check.

First, I had to put out the fire.

Unlike modern kitchens where you just need to turn off the gas, handling fire directly in a medieval martial arts kitchen was dangerous.

If not careful, it could engulf the entire kitchen and dining area in flames.

“Sa-hyeong, please bring some water in a bucket.” “Got it!”

Sa-hyeong sprang into action again.

I carefully grabbed Seoharin’s wrist, who was in tears from coughing in the smoky kitchen.

Truly, as expected from the future breathtaking beauty, her wrist was slender yet soft.

“Seoharin, excuse me.” “…”

Her face turned slightly red.

Breathing in smoke for too long was harmful to the respiratory system.

I couldn’t just leave the future most beautiful disciple here.

I quickly led her out of the kitchen.

At that moment.

“Saje, I brought the water…”

I ran into Sa-hyeong.

Thud!

Yujinhwi dropped the bucket she was holding.

“S-saje… Why are you carelessly holding an outsider woman’s hand…?”

Sa-hyeong’s eyes quivered.

He spoke in disbelief.

My head started to throb.

This was a medieval martial arts land where gender segregation was the norm.

Holding an outsider woman’s hand carelessly was akin to openly kissing in the streets for everyone to see.

Damn feudal Confucians! What’s the big deal about holding hands?

“…”

Seoharin blushed slightly but didn’t say a word.

I quickly let go of her wrist, saying, “It was unavoidable; I had to endure the rudeness to save Seoharin from the smoke in the kitchen. There’s no need for you to worry, Sa-hyeong.”

“…I see…”

Sa-hyeong’s shoulders slumped at my words.

Why was he like this even though I had given a valid excuse?

He switched his gaze between Seoharin and me, pouting his lips.

Could it be…?

‘Could that rumor from my past life be true?!’

The rumor I’d heard in my past life flashed through my mind.

The world’s number one swordsman, Geomseong Yujinhwi.

The reason he doesn’t have a woman is said to be because he has already developed feelings for his disciple, the cold-hearted swordmistress Seoharin.

Seoharin, with beauty rivaling the world’s most beautiful, Jeoksawol, was extraordinary.

With mixed blood, her exotic looks even led some to say she was more beautiful than Jeoksawol, so her beauty was beyond discussion.

It was quite a logical rumor that Yujinhwi wouldn’t look at other women because he had such a beauty on his side.

The rumor persisted as both died single till my death, but not even the Hwanggung’s network could determine the truth of the rumors.

But what if the rumor was true?

What if they were secretly dating?

‘No way, could Sa-hyeong be in love with Seoharin?!’

In my mind, I imagined grown-up Seoharin, stunning enough to rule a nation, whispering sweet nothings with the handsome Sa-hyeong.

‘Hoho, Sa-hyeong, truly, only you are the man of my life!’

‘Sister, I feel the same. You’re the only one in my sight.’

Two beautiful men and women laughing under the moonlight!

Red-faced Seoharin being patted on the head by Yujinhwi.

Their romantic rendezvous and me, silently swallowing my tears from behind.

‘This can’t be allowed!’

In my imaginary scenario, I unconsciously shouted within my heart.

Nothing of that sort could happen.

Of course, Seoharin would eventually join the Gongdong Sect and become my sister-in-law.

And she’d probably date someone too.

But that someone didn’t need to be Sa-hyeong.

How dare he set his sights on Seoharin!

Definitely not. I had to make sure to keep Sa-hyeong and Seoharin apart for now.

“By the way, Sa-hyeong, isn’t it time for training? The master might be looking for you.”

I threw in the two things that were Sa-hyeong’s greatest weaknesses: training and the master.

At my words, Sa-hyeong flinched a bit.

His expression darkened slightly.

“Y-yeah… But since the Saje still seems to have difficulty moving…”

Sa-hyeong trailed off, glancing left and right at Seoharin and me.

He seemed to want to stay near Seoharin under the pretext of me.

But it wasn’t going to work on me.

“Sa-hyeong, thank you for worrying about my well-being, but my body has improved enough to move around. It’s all thanks to your careful Pressure Point Massage earlier.”

Damn it, I never thought Pressure Point Massage would prove so helpful.

Sa-hyeong’s eyes wavered upon hearing my words.

Yeah, he probably didn’t think I’d bring up the Pressure Point Massage in such a context.

My excuse was flawless.

In truth, it would be unreasonable for Sa-hyeong to resist my political maneuvering right now.

“Pressure Point Massage… I see. Alright, Saje. Then I will work hard for you and the sect… You take care too.”

With a slightly flustered face, Sa-hyeong prepared to leave.

Seeing him vanish toward the Grand Martial Arts Venue, I sighed in relief.

“Seoharin.”

“…Yes, young master.”

Seoharin flinched slightly at my words.

She seemed a bit scared of getting scolded for burning the pork.

But, a true alpha male should have the sweetness to cover up a woman’s minor mistakes.

Looking at Seoharin, I spoke.

“Compared to the neatly arranged kitchen at Seodaein’s inn, it seems our sect’s kitchen is a bit chaotic, which led to your mistake. I apologize on behalf of the sect for not organizing it beforehand.”

At my words, Seoharin’s vacant eyes flickered slightly.

She lowered her head and said.

“…Yes. But cooking…”

“There are still ingredients left, so let me handle the cooking directly.”

“But aren’t you the patient? Cooking is my duty as the caretaker.” “Then I will assist you in your cooking.”

Practicing a charming smile, I gazed at Seoharin.

After a moment of silence, she slightly nodded her head.

“Alright, let’s go.”

As I entered the kitchen with Seoharin, I thought it was time for my transformation into the sexy cooking man, Lee Cheol-soo.

*

Shuuhhhh!

Yujinhwi’s sensitive perception, heightened to its peak, caught the sounds of conversation between Lee Cheol-soo and Seoharin in the kitchen.

Followed by the cheerful sounds of cooking.

“…Ugh…”

Yujinhwi bit her lip.

A black wave of jealousy surged inside her heart like wildfire.

Her hands trembled.

‘I’m also… good at cooking…’

Since Seoharin came, Yujinhwi’s troubles deepened.

‘Taking care of the Saje… is my job…’

The Saje didn’t look after himself.

Thus, only Sa-hyeong, who swore to take care of him, could tend to the Saje.

Yet now what? Isn’t Seoharin, not her, taking care of the Saje?

Even cooking together…

‘That’s what should’ve been my task…’

Making three meals a day for Gongdong Sect was originally something the Saje and she did together.

The memories of getting up each morning, fetching water with the Saje, cooking rice, and making side dishes flickered past her eyes.

To have someone encroach upon this sacred space shared with the Saje.

Yujinhwi’s emotions stirred.

‘…But the Saje said the Pressure Point Massage was good for him.’

Recalling the Saje’s words about how the Pressure Point Massage helped him feel better, a smile formed on Yujinhwi’s lips.

‘He even told me not to carelessly use it on other women.’

She remembered the Saje’s instruction.

The Saje had told her not to use the massage carelessly on others, especially women.

Reversing that logic implied that only he could receive her Pressure Point Massage.

Yujinhwi thought so.

‘Foolish Saje, from the start, I never intended to give the Pressure Point Massage to anyone else…’

Yujinhwi’s expression slightly relaxed.

With her mood lifting, she clenched her fist.

Yes, this was no time to dwell on such trivial matters.

Heukryongbang.

To make those bastards who dared to harm her precious Saje pay, she needed to train, just as the Saje had said.

With thoughts of Heukryongbang and the Saje in her heart, Yujinhwi suppressed her complex feelings and headed toward the Grand Martial Arts Venue.

And from that day, Lee Cheol-soo’s regimen began, and exactly two weeks later, in the morning.

Gongdong Sect Mountain Gate.

A messenger bearing the response personally penned by the Black Dragon Clan Leader finally arrived at Gongdong Mountain.

“Is this Gongdong Sect? It looks downright pathetic.”

As she looked at the crumbling mountain gate of Gongdong Sect, a cold smile formed on the face of Wi Soryeon, the girl from the Black Dragon Clan dressed in dark martial attire. At that moment, her eyes met with Lee Cheol-soo, who was squatting down for lower body training.

Hwiihh…

A cold mountain breeze wrapped around the two.