The Eunuch Regains His Manhood in the Second Round - Chapter 45



45. One Should Stretch Their Legs After Seeing Where to Lie Down

Gongdong Sect’s Main Reception Hall.

During the heyday of the Gongdong Sect, the main hall was bustling with numerous visitors, and many servants were coming and going to welcome guests. However, now that the main hall had fallen into ruin, it was practically abandoned.

It wasn’t that there were no guests at all. Occasionally, a distinguished guest would visit the main hall, so it was maintained, but most of the rooms inside the reception hall were no different from haunted houses.

“I apologize for welcoming a distinguished guest to such a shabby room.”

The master, who guided us to the only decent room in the dilapidated reception hall, laughed heartily as he spoke.

Although it was a customary modesty to call it shabby, the Gongdong Sect’s reception hall was indeed shabby, making me feel slightly awkward.

“It’s fine.”

The Black Dragon’s face twitched, which was proof enough.

She tried to maintain a poker face, but her eyes wavered upon seeing the old reception hall of the Gongdong Sect.

Like a wealthy person visiting a goshiwon for the first time.

The Black Dragon tried to hide her expression of disbelief, wondering how anyone could live in such a place.

Although she grew up roughly like a man, she was still the only deputy leader of a great evil sect.

She probably had little experience visiting a declining sect like the Gongdong Sect.

“Since you have come from afar, we will serve you tea as a gesture of hospitality. Seo Sojeo.”

“Yes, Master.”

Creak.

As soon as the master finished speaking, Seo Harin, who had been waiting in the next room, opened the door and entered.

“Serve the refreshments.”

—

—

“Understood.”

Seoharin nodded.

Leaving the refreshments to Seoharin, who knows nothing about cooking.

Already feeling uneasy.

“Please, have a seat.”

From noble mtl dot com

Starting with Jeonyeong, I, my senior brother, and Heuksaryong took our seats.

“Where is the reply?”

“Here it is.”

With a trembling voice, Heuksaryong took out an envelope from his bosom and handed it to Jeonyeong.

Jeonyeong tore open the seal of the envelope and unfolded the letter.

[The date is fifteen days later, the time is noon, and the place is Hwajeong-hyeon. The duel stage will be prepared by our side. The duel will be conducted with the presence of a notary, in a three-on-three format.]

Jeonyeong read out the contents of the letter.

The content was simple.

They accepted the conditions I proposed.

If Heukryongbang wins, Gongdongpa will permanently withdraw from Hwajeong-hyeon and close its doors for 50 years.

On the other hand, if Gongdongpa wins, Heukryongbang will permanently withdraw from Gansu Province, and Sa-yeonghoe will be handed over to the authorities for appropriate punishment.

A perfectly clean agreement.

As expected, Jeoksawol handles matters well.

“Our side’s notary will be from Haomun. Please appoint a notary from your side as well.”

In the usual way of Kangho, when resolving matters through a duel, a notary must be appointed.

The reason for appointing a notary is to prevent any disputes later on.

Additionally, the notary’s role is to quickly spread the results of the duel throughout the entire Kangho Murim.

“Our side’s notary will be requested from Seomunsega.”

My master said in a stern voice.

Seomunsega.

Recognized by all as the top sect in Gansu Province, excluding them from this duel was impossible.

For anything that happens in Gansu Province, whether officially or unofficially, Seomunsega’s protection or tacit approval is necessary.

Even if we begged them not to come, they would find a way to interfere.

So, it was more convenient for both sides to officially appoint them as notaries from the same sect.

‘Besides, by now, Seomunsega must be feeling the heat as well.’

—

—

With 50 years of experience as a treacherous schemer, I was certain.

At the same time, in the Seomun family head’s residence, it was clear that the curses against the Gongdong sect were flowing like a medley morning, noon, and night.

Originally, the Seomun family’s plan was to assist the Heukryongbang’s scheme to eliminate the Gongdong sect, and once the Gongdong sect was annihilated, they would use the pretext of avenging the Gongdong sect to betray the Heukryongbang.

However, this plan was only valid under the premise that the Heukryongbang would deal with the Gongdong sect in the manner of the dark path.

Of course, originally, the Heukryongbang would not need to respond to a duel and would deal with the Gongdong sect in the manner of the dark path, so the Seomun family could just watch from across the river and reap the benefits.

‘But since the Gongdong sect proposed a duel and the Heukryongbang accepted it, the Seomun family can no longer interfere in this matter, regardless of the duel’s outcome.’

The problem was that the Heukryongbang accepted the Gongdong sect’s duel proposal because of my manipulation.

Thanks to this, regardless of the duel’s outcome, since it went through the proper procedure of a duel, the Seomun family could no longer interfere in the affairs of Hwajeong County.

Even if the Gongdong sect loses the duel, the Seomun family cannot use the pretext of avenging the Gongdong sect.

The same goes if we win. The Seomun family has no justification to interfere in the interests of Hwajeong County.

Because it was the result of a legitimate duel, the Seomun family, as a third party, had no justification to intervene.

In this duel, the Seomun family’s role was only that of a notary and a clean-up shuttle.

‘If they even request notarization, it would be quite a spectacle. The family head’s face would be worth seeing.’

I laughed inwardly as I imagined the distorted face of Seomun Hyeoncheon, the family head of the Seomun family and a master of the Hwagyeong.

Of course, refusing the notarization request was impossible.

It was because of the face of the Gamsuk First Sect.

Ignoring the affairs happening in Gamsuk Province, especially those involving the prestigious Gongdong sect, which was a member of the Nine Great Sects?

In the martial world, where face was considered more important than life, it was unthinkable. Even if it was a loss, it had to be done.

Because that was the law of the martial world.

I could vividly picture the expression of Seomun Hyeoncheon, who had taken on a responsibility without pleasure, his blood pressure rising.

I had destroyed the carefully built tower he had constructed.

Indeed, it was enjoyable to torment a political rival with schemes.

“Understood.”

When Wi Soryeon nodded at Jeon Yeong’s words.

“The refreshments are served.”

Click.

Along with the cheap green tea, which was steaming, the refreshments appeared.

The refreshments on the tray placed on the table were clearly not in good condition.

Mysterious cookies that were charred black like charcoal.

And the green tea somehow had a murky appearance.

—

—

The appearance of the ‘refreshments’ with an unusual smell made Black Dragon’s face twitch.

“Go ahead, help yourself.”

Jeon Young offered the refreshments with a gentle smile.

Is this perhaps an attempt to mess with Wi Soryeon?

If so, it could be considered a success.

Refusing the refreshments offered by the host would be against the etiquette of hospitality and would also damage the reputation of the Fire Sect Leader.

Wi Soryeon had no choice but to eat this dreadful object called refreshments, even if it was like eating mustard while crying.

“Thank you for the meal.”

Wi Soryeon, with trembling hands, gulped down the tea and picked up the snack with her hand, putting it into her mouth.

“?!?!”

As soon as the refreshments entered her mouth, Wi Soryeon’s body jolted.

Her body trembled as if she had seen an indescribably terrible sight.

“Ugh… What is this… You there, maid! Such dreadful refreshments! Are you trying to insult the Fire Sect Leader and the Great Black Dragon Clan with this?! Is that why you brought out such a thing?!”

Wi Soryeon’s face turned red and blue as she lit up again.

It was the moment when her barely suppressed rough personality exploded.

An intangible aura rose from Wi Soryeon’s body and shot towards Seo Harin in an instant.

Seo Harin, who met Wi Soryeon’s eyes, collapsed into her seat.

Her pupils and whole body began to tremble like an aspen tree.

Seo Harin had trauma related to martial artists.

Moreover, it was the Sword Society’s blade that had killed her mother, and behind the Sword Society was the Black Dragon Clan.

To Seo Harin, Wi Soryeon was the true mastermind and the object of her fear.

Furthermore, Seo Harin was still an ordinary person who had not yet learned martial arts. She could never withstand the aura of Wi Soryeon, who had reached the peak of the first-rate level as the best disciple of the Evil Sect.

‘This won’t do.’

I couldn’t leave Seo Harin like this.

After all, she was the future junior sister, the most beautiful woman of the righteous sect, and a girl who resembled the emperor quite a bit.

It was time for me to step in.

Wooong.

I raised the internal energy of the So Yang Heart Method from my dantian.

The internal energy surged from my dantian, circulated through my meridians, and spread throughout my body. In that situation, I amplified the internal energy with the Reverse Blood Circulation Technique.

Kwakakakakaka!

—

—

As the rough energy surged through my body, I swiftly positioned myself between Wi Soryeon and Seo Harin.

Gooo!

In mid-air, Wi Soryeon’s force collided directly with my energy.

At this rate, the surroundings would become a mess just like when Senior Brother and Wi Soryeon clashed earlier.

I raised my right hand and gathered the clashing energy, then shot it towards the ceiling.

Crack!

The energy shot up to the ceiling, causing the wooden beams to creak.

Damn it.

Damaging an already unstable abandoned house like this.

While catching the dust falling from the beams, I looked at Wi Soryeon and spoke.

“Attacking a child who hasn’t even learned martial arts… The Black Path doesn’t hesitate to kill people if they feel like it. This act suits their reputation.”

“…If you taste this tea snack, you’ll understand my feelings. At first, I thought the Joint Sect was trying to poison me.”

Wi Soryeon pointed to the charred tea snack as he spoke.

At the mention of poison, Seo Harin flinched.

Her eyes trembled with anxiety.

Everyone’s gaze turned to the tea snack.

“Strange. Poison, you say? No matter how I look at it, it just looks delicious. If I eat this tea snack and nothing happens to me… You should apologize for attacking the innocent Miss Seo.”

“…You think it looks delicious? If you can eat this tea snack, which tastes like the deadliest poison, and remain unharmed, I’ll gladly do so.”

Wi Soryeon trembled as he alternated his gaze between me and Seo Harin.

“Hic!”

Seo Harin sat down and hiccupped.

“Alright.”

I accepted Wi Soryeon’s proposal and put the tea snack from the table into my mouth and chewed.

‘!!’

I was prepared, but the tea snack, which was more like a lump of charcoal, tasted absolutely terrible.

Having worked as a low-level agent for the Eastern Agency, I had eaten all sorts of bizarre foods, but this was one of the worst.

It was so bad that my stomach rejected this so-called food.

But if I were to give in to this, I wouldn’t have made a bet with Wi Soryeon in the first place.

I had the acting skills honed through over 50 years of palace intrigue experience, reaching the level of a master.

With superhuman control, I managed each facial muscle and naturally smiled.

—

—

It was a performance that transcended the level of winning the Cannes Film Festival.

“Delicious. The subtle sweetness that pairs well with the tea, the soft texture, and the artistic smoothness of the dessert.”

Drip.

I also drank the tea brewed by Seoharin.

How on earth did she brew this tea? The terrible taste, surpassing the stench of sewage, spread through my esophagus as if I were drinking straight from a gutter.

But once again, I controlled every muscle in my face and body with superhuman endurance and said,

“The tea also has a good aroma. Although it’s cheap green tea, its fragrance and taste have been maximized by Miss Seo’s skill, giving it depth. It tastes as beautiful as Miss Seo’s appearance.”

Drip.

A tear, stimulated by the terrible taste, flowed from my tear gland, which I couldn’t control.

A mistake that would have embarrassed an ordinary person.

But I was the worst villain in the history of the Central Plains, who purged all opposition through political maneuvering in the Beijing court, where swords and hidden daggers flew, and reigned above the emperor.

Of course, I wasn’t flustered by this level of crisis.

No, rather, it was good.

I wiped away the flowing tears and said,

“I’m sorry. The taste was so moving that I couldn’t help but shed tears. It reminded me of the tea my late mother used to brew after meals… I want to thank Miss Seo for providing such a touching moment.”

I wiped away my tears with an impromptu ad-lib performance and placed the teacup down with a click.

The moment my review was over.

Weisoryeon’s face hardened with shock and confusion.

I looked at her and laughed inwardly.

She should have looked before she leaped, tsk tsk.