The Second Eunuch Regains His Manhood

70 – Eternal Oppa

“Feel free to drop by anytime! Gaga!”

Lee Cheol-soo nodded.

Tap.

The sliding door of the special room closed.

Detecting Lee Cheol-soo’s presence in real time with her heightened senses, Jeoksawol placed her hand over her heart and let out a sweet sigh.

“Ga, you called me Hyangmae······.”

Thump.

Thump, thump.

Jeoksawol’s heart raced like crazy.

Hyangmae.

A term of endearment used by a man for a woman who has become his beloved.

It wasn’t the first time someone called her that. Many men who fell for her had called her that recklessly. Naturally, all she felt was extreme discomfort. She had made countless men who dared call her that into eunuchs.

But this time was different.

Her head felt like it would implode. Her breath quickened. Her face flushed crimson.

Her body was filled with joy.

“…Ga, Gaga, there’s no such young lad, so what can I…”

Jeoksawol shook her head vigorously.

She barely held onto her fading rationality.

Right.

Honestly, she knew how ridiculous it was for her, at 60, to call 14-year-old Lee Cheol-soo, “Gaga.”

But at this moment, she was not just Jeoksawol but the top courtesan of Sichuan, Neungwolhyang.

So, it was okay, Jeoksawol rationalized to herself.

“…Gaga, Hyangmae…”

As she examined their titles, Jeoksawol’s face turned red once more.

She bowed her head slightly.

Her heart raced fiercely.

“…W, we look like complete lovers now, don’t we…”

Jeoksawol muttered in a small voice.

Of course, being a courtesan, it was not uncommon to call frequent visitors “Gaga” or be addressed by pet names by them.

But unlike other courtesans, Jeoksawol had never referred to anyone with such a term, not even once.

She had no need for it.

Men captivated by her beauty, beyond being the best in the world, held her in high regard on their own.

Moreover, Jeoksawol generally didn’t have a liking for men.

Thus, today was her first time calling someone “Gaga.”

‘Gaga likes younger girls…’

That’s why she had openly proposed to the 14-year-old Geumhu!

It was the choice of that nickname.

She wanted to appear younger.

She wanted to attract his heart.

Thump, thump.

Her heart raced.

“…Ugh…”

Jeoksawol bowed her head and splashed some water on her face. Her earlobes and neck turned red.

She felt like her entire body was on fire.

The recent events flashed through her mind. Although done for seduction, Jeoksawol had made the most physical contact with Lee Cheol-soo today. She had held his hand and subtly brushed against his chest and waist while hugging him.

She felt the heat radiating from where they had touched—chest, waist, hands.

It still felt vivid.

Until now, Jeoksawol had hardly even held a man’s hand.

It was her first time being so actively seductive.

Suddenly, she sensed that Lee Cheol-soo’s presence had disappeared from her awareness. Taking a deep breath, Jeoksawol’s racing heart still hadn’t calmed.

She slapped her cheeks.

“Get a grip, you! …Right, huh. To call me Hyangmae, Gaga must be falling for my charm too now.”

A smile lit up Jeoksawol’s face.

Not a fake, lewd smile, but one purely like a girl in love.

“Indeed, Gaga would be more attracted to someone like me, rich in experience, rather than a young girl like a courtesan.”

According to her research, Lee Cheol-soo was an orphan born to a family of farmers.

So he would likely harbor a longing for his deceased mother from childhood. If she played on his maternal instincts, Jeoksawol could keep him wrapped in her skirts.

And such a role was only something she, with 60 years of life wisdom, could fulfill.

That was the advantage of being an older woman.

Jeoksawol thought to herself.

Moreover, Geumhu must not have heard Gaga’s nickname, “Ranmae.”

The first person to hear Gaga’s nickname was simply her.

She’d shown that young lad a thing or two.

Just as Jeoksawol’s heart swelled with triumph, a sudden thought of Lee Cheol-soo’s request invaded her mind.

“…Geombong Seomun Cheong-ha…”

It was rumored that if they lost to Geombong Seomun Cheong-ha, they’d become each other’s servants in a duel for honor.

Instinctively, Jeoksawol grasped the fact that Lee Cheol-soo was speaking the truth.

It was the same during the Orthodox Faction Competition.

Lee Cheol-soo had concealed that his brother was Cheonmuji-che while using Hao Mun to send a notarized letter to other factions, creating pressure on Seomun Family to present a notary.

He had quite a clever mind for someone so young.

Now, Lee Cheol-soo brought up a duel with Seomun Family.

She couldn’t ignore it.

Especially since Seomun Cheong-ha, who was 14 years old like Lee Cheol-soo, was rumored to be the finest beauty in Gansu.

There was a wager of becoming servants in case of a loss.

Jeoksawol’s hands trembled.

Her heated head cooled down quickly.

“Those young ones are a problem…”

Geombong Seomun Cheong-ha.

She was thought of as Gansu’s Finest Beauty, yet her beauty couldn’t hold a candle to Jeoksawol’s elegance…

Nevertheless, there was a staggering 46-year age difference between the two—Jeoksawol at 60 and the young lady at 14.

That was an astronomical age gap!

To Jeoksawol, Seomun Cheong-ha might as well be a mere child.

She chose to disregard that Lee Cheol-soo was the same age as Seomun Cheong-ha. To her, Lee Cheol-soo was her eternal Gaga.

“…That little brat dares to challenge a Gaga…”

Winning or losing in this duel, neither outcome seemed particularly pleasant.

If Lee Cheol-soo lost, his Gaga would become that brat’s servant, and if he won, that brat might cling to Gaga and a strange vibe could blossom between them.

Being servants meant they’d be forced to stick together. A spirited young man and woman hanging around? Especially with a beauty who didn’t lag far behind Jeoksawol.

It was an ideal situation for budding romance.

Honestly, she wasn’t thrilled about it.

Gaga should only frolic under her skirts. The plan to ensnare talents of the Orthodox faction in the skirts of the Rogue faction was still in play.

‘But this is Gaga’s request…’

She had already agreed to help.

In return for that delightful touch.

Recalling that moment, Jeoksawol’s face flushed again.

She absentmindedly adjusted her hair where Gaga’s hand had touched.

It felt as though his warmth remained.

Her cheeks became hot again.

It was the first physical contact initiated by Gaga. The fact that he had done it purposely made her entire body heat up. Her heart raced.

But thinking of Seomun Cheong-ha, that brat, cooled her boiling blood.

As if exploring between the hot and cold hells, Jeoksawol found herself in a whirlwind of confusion.

That’s when a lightbulb idea struck her head.

[Disciple, are you there?]

Jeoksawol called for her disciple, Baek Myeon-am-gun, who was in the secret room on the first floor, using sound transmission.

Moments later, Baek Myeon-am-gun opened the sliding door and appeared, bowing respectfully.

“Did you call for me, Master?”

Looking at his white mask, Jeoksawol instinctively rested her elbows on the table and supported her chin with her left hand, smiling.

“From now on, spread the word I’m about to share far and wide through our information network.”

Thus began the secret meeting between Baek Myeon-am-gun and Jeoksawol on the second floor of Gonhwa Pavilion.

The following day.

Two rumors spread across Central Plains, including Gansu.

One claimed that the notorious Lee Cheol-soo of the Beggar Sect and Geombong Seomun Cheong-ha of the Seomun family had agreed to duel for their sects’ honor, betting that the loser would serve the winner.

The other was…

“Hey, did you hear? The Top Courtesan of Sichuan, Neungwolhyang, has finally found her Gaga!”

“What? Who are they?!”

“They say during the Orthodox Faction Competition, the renowned Lee Cheol-soo of the Beggar Sect and Neungwolhyang are romantically involved!”

“What?! Then the reason Neungwolhyang couldn’t meet him at Baekhwa Pavilion…”

The proud and arrogant Neungwolhyang had never even referred to anyone as “Gaga,” let alone have a confirmed beloved, but now it was rumored that Lee Cheol-soo was her man.

Thanks to Hao Mun’s information network, the rumor was deemed fact and left a massive impact on the world of talented youths.

“What on earth did that Lee Cheol-soo do to capture our beloved Neungwolhyang’s heart…?!”

“That Lee Cheol-soo! Wasn’t he the shameless one who ripped apart the top of the Black Dragon’s clothing during the Orthodox Faction Competition, exposing her skin?! Not a hero but someone deserving the title of Twin-Blade Bastard!”

“How could someone so vile… Still, it must be that poor Neungwolhyang has been deceived by him!”

“To take away our beloved Neungwolhyang…! I can’t forgive Twin-Blade Bastard!”

Particularly, the young lords who were infatuated with Neungwolhyang were boiling with fury.

At that moment, the clutches of the Blood Temple’s Jeoksawol reached towards the young master of the Orthodox faction, Lee Cheol-soo.

*

I returned to the main base with a light-hearted whistle and a joyous step.

I had eaten my fill of pork, and with tickets in hand, both body and mind felt satisfied.

After reporting my return to Jeonyeong at Hyeoncheon Palace, I headed towards the Reception Hall, where Geumhu was staying.

Geumhu Eun Seol-ran.

She hadn’t yet left the Beggar Sect.

In fact, it seemed she was still in that decrepit Reception Hall until I woke up.

Of course, So Geom-hu was with her.

Well, that was fine by me.

Had Geumhu returned to Mount Hengshan, she would have sent a letter. It was much easier to communicate face-to-face.

Having completed some repairs in the interim, as I arrived at the front yard of the Reception Hall, which had turned into an abandoned house, So Geom-hu welcomed me.

“Hmph! Why did you take so long? Do you know how long Master has been waiting for you in this deserted place? You should’ve greeted Master as soon as you got up!”

So Geom-hu Cheon Sobin stared at me with disdain.

Her two-tone hair of silver and black sparkled in the sunset.

So Geom-hu was a girl who idolized Geumhu like most other females in the Martial World.

There were many fans of Geumhu within the martial realm, but So Geom-hu was like a number one super devoted admirer, overly protective to a fault.

She was closer to being a maid than a disciple.

“Isn’t it fortunate that I arrived at last? Please convey my arrival to Geumhu.”

“Why should I?! Besides, it’s nearly night, don’t you know how inappropriate it is for a man to privately visit a woman’s quarters at night?!”

As So Geom-hu shouted at me…

“Come in, Sir.”

From beyond the Reception Hall, Geumhu’s gentle voice resonated.

“Master has granted permission for your audience. Consider it an honor!”

Hmph.

So Geom-hu turned her head and opened the creaking door.

The room we entered was the only well-maintained area in the decrepit Reception Hall, the one where Seoharin’s father lodged whenever he visited the Beggar Sect.

Though old, it was still intact, and she sat decorously inside.

A beautiful woman in her mid-twenties with mysterious, translucent silver hair and silver eyes that resembled the moon, complemented by skin as white as snow.

It was Geumhu Eun Seol-ran.

As I sat across from her, Eun Seol-ran averted her gaze and spoke.

“Is there a reason you… um, no, did you come to see me?”

“To skip pleasantries and get to the main point, I have a request for you, Senior Geumhu.”

“What kind of request?”

Geumhu still couldn’t meet my eyes and placed her hands on the teapot on the table.

Speaking of which, there were snacks laid out on the table.

What’s this? Did she prepare refreshments in advance?

I felt her energy concentrating on her hand.

Soon, steam began to rise from the teapot.

She was heating the cooled tea using her inner energy with the technique of Threefold Meditation.

An impressive control of power from Hwakyung’s Mastery.

Swish.

Geumhu respectfully gathered her hands, lifted the teapot, and poured tea into the cup in front of me.

Her silver hair sparkled as it caught the moonlight filtering through the bars.

The fragrant aroma of the tea filled the old room.

“Hmph.”

I caught a glimpse of So Geom-hu pouting beside me.

“…It’s not much, but please enjoy the treats I prepared myself while we discuss.”

“Thank you.”

I expressed my gratitude and sipped the tea Geumhu had brewed.

Her silver eyes briefly glanced over at me.

I took a piece of the snack.

“The tea is excellent. The snacks pair nicely with it.”

Upon hearing my words, a faint smile appeared on Geumhu’s lips.

Her cheeks tinted slightly red.

“Thank you. What is the request you wish to make?”

“…I plan to duel Geombong Seomun Cheong-ha soon, betting our sects’ honor and that the loser shall become the winner’s servant. I would like you to participate as a notary for the duel against Seomun Family.”

“…A servant… you say?”

Geumhu asked back, her voice slightly trembling at my words.

I nodded at her.

“That’s correct. The idea of servants was suggested first by Geombong’s side.”

That was a fact.

I only intended to have a duel, but it was Seomun Cheong-ha who first uttered that ridiculous nonsense about servants.

Geumhu nodded and hesitated before speaking.

“…I see. Understood. If I become the notary… I suppose I will have to remain as a guest at the Beggar Sect until the duel with Seomun Family is held?”

There was nothing incorrect in Geumhu’s statement.

Becoming the notary meant she’d be an interested party. Naturally, she would have to stay as a guest, and the Beggar Sect was obliged to offer her accommodation and food.

During the previous Orthodox Faction Competition, since Seomun Family felt the need to maintain Camou’s dignity, they had provided expenses and even rented out the entire Inn for the notaries like Geumhu, Cheongseong, and elders from Dangmun and Ami, so we had reaped the benefits.

But now the situation was different, having to confront Seomun Family directly.

It was only logical to provide hospitality for Geumhu and So Geom-hu.

However, given the current state of the Beggar Sect… this decrepit Reception Hall that resembled a haunted house was hardly suitable. Even a beggar sleeping under a bridge would think twice before taking shelter here.

For the honor of the Beggar Sect, I needed to treat Geumhu well.

Naturally, the sensitive Geumhu must have clearly been pondering about the accommodation issue.

But I couldn’t send Geumhu away.

Looks like I had no choice.

Should I spend my precious duel jackpot to straighten this out?…

As I internally wept over parting with my recently gained wealth, I turned to Geumhu.

“I indeed apologize for the shabby accommodations at this Reception Hall. If you wish, I can arrange something better, perhaps a separate lodging in Hwajeong County…”

“No, really. It’s not shabby at all. I’m fine.”

Geumhu cut me off.

Fine, huh?

I looked around.

Even though it was the only well-maintained room, its interior was still utterly lacking.

“Are you really… fine? If you want, I can find a way to rent a separate lodging in Hwajeong County…”

“I’m truly fine. Sir, there was a time I used the night sky as my blanket. I just need a roof and walls to shield me from the rain and wind. Thus, I will gladly accept your offer to be a notary and stay at the Beggar Sect as a guest for a little bit longer.”

Geumhu spoke with a graceful smile.

I could see So Geom-hu pouting beside me. Ignoring her, I continued.

“If that’s the case… then understood. But please let me know any time if there is anything inconvenient.”

“Understood, Sir.”

Hearing Geumhu’s response, I inwardly smiled as I sipped the tea.

Great.

I’d won over the notary, and now all that’s left was the duel against Seomun Family.

Hold on tight, Geombong Seomun Cheong-ha.

I’m coming for you!

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