The Second Eunuch Regains His Manhood

80th Chapter: The Queen of Support

The Nine Transformation Sound White Bird is a claw technique. To put it simply, it’s a scratching martial art.

As expected, the sword energy infused with the essence of the Nine Transformation Sound White Bird also possessed a sharp nature. However, in the haste of defending, Seomun Cheong-ha couldn’t block all the sword energy, and the remaining energy scattered, tearing her clothes to shreds.

Just like a claw technique.

It wasn’t intended.

“… S-Statement: The winner is Lee Cheol-soo from the Gongdong Sect!”

MC Sword Dragon’s victory declaration echoed.

But despite the underdog’s win, the audience was as quiet as a mouse.

At this rate, my nickname will become “Colorful Horse.”

That can’t happen.

I had to turn the crisis into an opportunity.

“My apologies. It was my shortfall.”

I said, quickly taking off my outer robe.

The solid muscles I had built through external exercises and squats glimmered in the sunlight.

I draped the now-removed outer robe over Seomun Cheong-ha, whose eyes were welling with tears.

Her nakedness was covered by the wide men’s clothing.

“Uuuhhh… Huhuhuh…”

Seomun Cheong-ha sobbed softly as she wrapped herself in my robe.

No, I definitely won.

Why do I feel like I’ve lost?

“… Truly, the Twin Blades of Color, tearing the clothes of the Seomun Family’s young lady so openly in the public martial arts arena…”

“Oh my! How vulgar!”

“Eeeeeek!”

“There’s a reason they’re called the Gongdong Alliance, I see.”

“But the Gongdong Sect’s Lee Cheol-soo is looking quite fit, isn’t he? Those muscles…”

“Oh my, oh my!”

Just then, the audience began to buzz.

Kwoooong!

A tremendous sound resonated.

The ground shook.

Following that, an overwhelming energy began to rise behind Seomun Cheong-ha.

This destructive aura.

It was Jincheongyeomwang.

Jin Cheon-gwang Seomun Hyeon-cheon stood up.

As if a giant tree had risen.

Fire sparked in Jin Cheon-gwang’s eyes.

His hands trembled with rage.

“I cannot acknowledge this match! To disgrace my daughter, not to mention the dignity of our family and the public martial arts arena with such lewd behavior… Is this truly the intention of the Gongdong Alliance, you punk!!”

With a shout filled with Jin Cheon-gwang’s prowess, an overwhelming aura erupted from his body.

It was a raw power, unlike what I experienced last time; the true heart of Hwakyung’s Supreme Mastery was on display.

A yellowish haze rose around his entire body.

His muscles swelled tightly.

The aura that shook the heavens swept through the martial arts arena, approaching me.

I bit my lip.

It was the genuine aura of a Hwakyung master. I couldn’t stop it. I had to minimize damage at least. Just as I was about to draw on my own energy…

“The match has already been decided. Jin Cheon-gwang.”

A calm yet cold voice rang out behind me.

It was Geumhu Eun Seol-ran.

She stood up.

Her silver hair, illuminated by the sunlight, fluttered as it was caught by the fragments of Jin Cheon-gwang’s energy.

A lustrous, moonlit aura rose from the sword master.

“… If you are a martial artist, then accept the result of a legitimate match.”

As Eun Seol-ran’s released energy gently enveloped me, it repelled the sharp, spear-like aura of Jin Cheon-gwang.

Silver and yellow.

The two auras collided chaotically in the air.

As two Hwakyung’s Supreme Masters engaged in a battle of wills, the venue fell silent.

*

“Eun Seol-ran… Why are you protecting that young punk? The Gongdong Sect and Hangshan Sect aren’t exactly on good terms…”

Jin Cheon-gwang frowned.

Deep down, even Seomun Hyeon-cheon knew that his words sounded forced.

But regardless of the process, it was Lee Cheol-soo who engaged in lewd conduct against Seomun Family’s most cherished, the youngest daughter, right?

As a father, he simply could not let this go.

However, he never expected Eun Seol-ran would step in.

Jin Cheon-gwang Seomun Hyeon-cheon’s gaze landed on Eun Seol-ran.

Jin Cheon-gwang was 44 years old, two years younger than Eun Seol-ran. Moreover, they had known each other since the Yongbong Society 30 years ago. There was even a time when, during his Post-Stimulation Indicator days, Jin Cheon-gwang boldly challenged Eun Seol-ran out of boiling blood, only to be defeated.

‘Even now, Eun Seol-ran is at least half a tier higher than me.’

If they were to clash sincerely, it would inevitably result in a life-and-death situation.

Nevertheless, Jin Cheon-gwang didn’t retract his aura toward Eun Seol-ran.

Not only had his daughter been humiliated, but he also couldn’t let the Gongdong Sect gain the upper hand like this.

The overwhelming aura of the Great Desolate Domination Technique erupted from his body, shaking the earth.

Urrrgggghhh!

But Eun Seol-ran stood unfazed.

Maintaining her dignified posture, she blocked the aura of the Great Desolate Domination Technique with her own power of the Great Moon Divine Technique, protecting Lee Cheol-soo as she spoke.

“Currently, I am the representative of the Gongdong Sect’s Lee Cheol-soo. As the appointed representative, I cannot allow any actions that do not accept the legitimate result of a martial arts match—even if the opponent is the head of the Seomun Family.”

Her gaze focused on Lee Cheol-soo.

More precisely, it remained fixed on his bare upper body.

A perfectly sculpted physique, as if crafted by the heavens, appeared before her eyes.

Thump.

Eun Seol-ran’s heart raced.

Thump, thump.

Eun Seol-ran desperately tried to control the blood flow in her face to hide her blush and thought to herself.

‘As a representative… I feel so embarrassed…’

Lee Cheol-soo’s body was perfect to behold. Truly the epitome of an ideal man.

‘If only I were 30 years younger…’

If she had met him back at Yongbong Society 30 years ago, she would have undoubtedly lost to him just like Seomun Cheong-ha did today.

Thus, she would have worn his outer robe just like Seomun Cheong-ha. Eun Seol-ran’s hand trembled.

‘… I should have collapsed under his sword at that moment.’

Seomun Cheong-ha. That young girl should have been in her place.

That young girl should have fainted under his blade.

She should have received his outer robe.

So that she could marry him and become his wife.

But that didn’t happen.

‘Hehe. I will surely take back an outer robe from him someday… now that he has come of age.’

But there was still time. If he reached maturity, and she lost in their martial arts match…

Just like today’s Seomun Cheong-ha, she would have torn her clothes by his sword and received his outer robe.

Eun Seol-ran vowed as she glared at Seomun Cheong-ha and Jin Cheon-gwang.

Jin Cheon-gwang Seomun Hyeon-cheon.

He was one of the masters who had challenged her and lost more than 30 years ago.

Even then, just like now, Eun Seol-ran did not fancy burly men like Seomun Hyeon-cheon.

And indeed…

‘How dare you try to steal the victory that he worked so hard to achieve for the sect…’

Eun Seol-ran’s eyes glowed fiercely.

As the leader of the Hangshan Sect, she understood very well what this match meant for both the Gongdong Sect and Seomun Family.

If the Gongdong Sect won this martial arts contest, the Seomun Family would be unable to plot anything against the Gongdong Sect for the foreseeable future.

Moreover, if Seomun Cheong-ha were to become Lee Cheol-soo’s servant, it would be equivalent to the Gongdong Sect holding the youngest lady of the Seomun Family hostage.

The Seomun Family would find it nearly impossible to counter the Gongdong Sect moving forward.

Thus, it was a dire situation for Lee Cheol-soo to claim victory in this match.

Of course, there were feelings of affection for his daughter involved, but…

‘I will do anything for him. I am just so happy that I can help him.’

Though the Gongdong Sect claim was that their influence had increased from this Orthodox Faction Competition, the true champions of the Gansu Martial World remained the Seomun Family.

If Jin Cheon-gwang continued to dominate, even if Lee Cheol-soo won in the match, there was a risk that the result could be rendered void.

Therefore, as the leader of the Hangshan Sect, a sword master, and a Hwakyung’s Master, she needed to protect Lee Cheol-soo’s victory.

As his future wife, it was her obvious duty.

“I never thought you would be so tied down to the title of a mere representative. Haha, could it be that you’ve fallen for that young punk who’s all about the ladies? The sword master of the world?”

Jin Cheon-gwang mocked upon seeing the scene.

Taken aback by his words, Eun Seol-ran paused.

‘How dare he call the one I cherish a playboy punk?! A mountain bandit, at that!’

Eun Seol-ran was seething inside.

The most charming man in the world, the one who would soon be her husband, was Lee Cheol-soo.

And yet, to refer to him as a playful young punk?

It was utterly intolerable.

“You think you can just insult me and my dignity because I’ve been accommodating? Hyeon-cheon. You’re two years younger than me, Hyeon-cheon. Do you have any memory of the Yongbong Society 30 years ago where you challenged me with a crush and lost in a single strike? Did you forget that? Did you think that the Gongdong Sect’s representative would side with you Seomun Family instead of the Gongdong Sect?”

With a chilling voice, Eun Seol-ran glared at Jin Cheon-gwang.

“… That’s…”

At Eun Seol-ran’s words, Jin Cheon-gwang swallowed hard.

It was true that he had challenged her at Yongbong Society 30 years ago.

And he had indeed lost in a single strike. Since then, he had worked hard to refine his skills and reached his current pinnacle.

Yet here he was in a position of having overlooked that past to marry a lady from the Tian Mountain, living happily now.

And now she brought up the humiliating tale from 30 years ago?

It felt as if whispers emerged from the crowd.

Jin Cheon-gwang had proposed to Eun Seol-ran and lost!

He feared what his wife would say when he got home.

“I understand your desire to rely solely on your familial influence in Gansu and invalidate the results of the match. However, your family’s influence means nothing to me. Don’t come at me with fabricated reasons. Accept the results of the match quietly.”

Eun Seol-ran’s eyes shifted to Seomun Cheong-ha.

“And for clothing to tear during a martial arts match, isn’t that a common occurrence in the martial world? Both Cheong-ha and I are martial artists before anything else. Are we going to sob just because our outfits got torn in an actual fight? The external pressure shows no mercy. Why are you making such a fuss over clothing?”

Seomun Cheong-ha recoiled.

Eun Seol-ran was right; she wasn’t wrong.

The reason such matches were held in the Orthodox Faction was ultimately practice for actual confrontations.

And in an actual confrontation, tearing clothes was not something one would be allowed to fret over.

Thus, even if they were women, there was no need to be shaken by torn clothing.

“Of course, the victory belongs to this Gongdong Sect’s Lee Cheol-soo. But if you persist in arguing with me… why not finish the match we left unresolved 30 years ago? I have my dignity to protect; I cannot simply let this slide.”

Swish!

Eun Seol-ran drew the Moonlight Sword. The transparent blade caught the sunlight, shining brilliantly.

A silver light surged over the blade of the Moonlight Sword.

The starlight from the night sky nestled within her sword.

The Sword Technique, which allowed the masters of Hwakyung to cut through anything at will, made its presence known.

Eun Seol-ran’s icy gaze locked onto Jin Cheon-gwang.

She knew it all too well.

Jin Cheon-gwang was not only the head of the Seomun Family but also a married man. He could never challenge her.

Moreover, unlike her, who had already reached the edge of Hwakyung, Jin Cheon-gwang was still at the beginning.

Whether it was a martial arts match or a life-and-death conflict, her victory was a certainty. Moreover, Eun Seol-ran never intended to lose to any man other than Lee Cheol-soo from the start.

‘Damn it…’

While she maintained her composure, Jin Cheon-gwang seethed inwardly.

It was a truly vexing predicament.

To dredge up the humiliating past from 30 years ago now, and to challenge her?

For a family man like him, it was impossible. No, it was fundamentally impossible even without the challenge.

A bout between masters of the Orthodox Faction, let alone Hwakyung masters, was not just a mere contest; it was a complex political act laden with implications.

So, it wasn’t something that could simply be decided upon.

Moreover, what was most crucial was that the Gongdong Sect held the moral high ground in this situation.

Regardless, it was a fact that Lee Cheol-soo had claimed victory. The tearing of his daughter’s clothes was indeed infuriating, but from an objective perspective, such occurrences in martial contests were common.

The Seomun Family’s insistence on invalidating the results was undoubtedly forced. If Eun Seol-ran had not intervened, with the Seomun Family’s influence, they might have managed to nullify this match after all.

Jin Cheon-gwang’s only miscalculation was not predicting how far Eun Seol-ran would go to support the Gongdong Sect.

Given Eun Seol-ran’s unwavering stance, insisting on the integral nature of the match, continuing to push his fabricated reasons would only backfire.

It could end up inflicting damage on the prestige of the Seomun Family.

If they were branded as a family that couldn’t accept the results of a martial arts match, it would be a matter of shame for the Orthodox Faction.

Such rumors would be fatal for the Seomun Family. Given their already short history, they were easily looked down upon by other martial families as upstarts. It would only give them more reasons to scoff at them.

Jin Cheon-gwang swallowed his tears.

No matter how much he cherished his daughter, he couldn’t risk everything for a life-and-death duel with Eun Seol-ran.

“… If you insist so firmly… then I have no choice. I shall accept the results.”

I’m sorry, Cheong-ha.

Jin Cheon-gwang silently apologized to his daughter as he accepted the outcome with tears in his eyes.

Upon witnessing this, Eun Seol-ran felt a rush of triumph within.

‘I did it! I protected Lee Cheol-soo’s victory like a proper virtuous wife! Hehe.’

Eeeeeek!

She barely stifled a scream rising in her throat, while admiring her beloved Lee Cheol-soo.

Surely, he would be pleased.

Not just him.

Her brother-in-law, Kongja Yoo, and her sister Seon So-jung would be delighted too.

The Gongdong Sect was now equivalent to her in-laws, so their victory was her victory as well.

With this silent joy, Eun Seol-ran savored the moment.

I faced down Jin Cheon-gwang directly, preserving the prestige of our sect! Truly, my master is remarkable!

While So Geom-hu looked on in confusion at her excitement, Eun Seol-ran was blissfully unaware.

Thus, the martial arts contest officially concluded with a victory for the Gongdong Sect.

“Hey, guess what! During the last contest, Lee Cheol-soo from the Gongdong Alliance claimed victory against the Seomun Family’s Geombong!”

“I heard that too! But in the process, this punk Lee Cheol-soo tore Geombong So-jung’s clothes to shreds, right? Is that the Gongdong Alliance? More like the Gongdong Color Association!”

Lee Cheol-soo gained an additional nickname as Gongdong Color Association.

If he were to hear about it, he’d probably cry and wail.