The Second Eunuch Regains His Manhood

Chapter 98: Their Alliance

Cheon Sobin bent her waist in greeting, flinching inwardly.

“Gongdong Sect Leader’s Disciple Yoo Jinhwi is said to be a talent of the ages (千古一才), and indeed, the rumors weren’t wrong.”

The name of the Gongdong Alliance’s Yoo Jinhwi had become common knowledge since she defeated the top post-stimulation indicator, Heuksaryong Wi Soryeon, in the Orthodox Faction Competition a year ago.

Furthermore, it was already widely known throughout the martial world that she was the heavenly body who had restored the Demon Sword Technique.

Heavenly Body.

Owner of overwhelming talent that makes even prodigies seem dull in comparison.

Yet, Yoo Jinhwi was considered remarkably talented even among the heavenly bodies throughout history.

How could it not be said that she was a once-in-a-thousand-years genius?

Indeed, as she fully concentrated on concealing her presence, Yoo Jinhwi pierced through her concealment in no time at all.

No matter how advanced Yoo Jinhwi was as a top-tier master, discovering her concealment instantly was simply inconceivable unless you were someone like the heavenly body, born with an exceptional ability to sense.

“······That talent is terrifying.”

And what about the face illuminated by the moonlight?

The evaluation of her beauty as a reincarnation of Song Ok and Ban An was rather an understatement. Even for So Geom-hu, who prided herself on her looks, it felt like being a firefly in front of the sun compared to Yoo Jinhwi.

So Geom-hu bit her lip.

“What brings you here at this late hour, Junior Cheon? Don’t tell me you’re here looking for your master…”

Yoo Jinhwi’s beautiful voice echoed through the courtyard.

Her eyes narrowed as her gaze turned toward Cheon Sobin.

Yoo Jinhwi also vividly remembered Cheon Sobin’s words before the martial contest earlier that day.

No, there wasn’t a moment she couldn’t remember.

From the moment she was born until now.

She could recall every single moment clearly.

For someone with the talent heaven bestowed upon her, there was no such thing as forgetfulness.

From the first moment she met her master, she could still vividly recall every moment they shared together as if it were yesterday.

“Not only that. I received a handkerchief from my master…”

A memory of today flooded Yoo Jinhwi’s mind.

Her hands trembled.

Only she had received a handkerchief from her master.

The handkerchief her master had given her when she was crying back at the secret cave after failing the Honwon Geomje test was something Yoo Jinhwi still cherished.

But today, Cheon Sobin received a handkerchief too.

Yoo Jinhwi couldn’t bear that fact.

Additionally, the word “last night” Cheon Sobin used was etched clearly in Yoo Jinhwi’s mind.

She recalled everything Cheon Sobin had said.

Mentioning last night could mean she might have gone to meet her master.

“It was a mistake to dull my senses.”

Her sensitivity was excellent. But being overly sensitive could interfere with daily life. Because excessive information flooded her mind.

So, she dulled her senses before sleeping. Especially here, where the great sect of Hangshan held a prominent position. There was no need to keep her senses heightened like when sleeping rough on the streets.

So, she slept like that last night.

Who would have known that the sly So Geom-hu would sneak into her master’s room in that time?

“It’s my fault for being careless.”

If she hadn’t let her guard down, she could have prevented today’s incident.

Yoo Jinhwi thought so as she gazed coldly at So Geom-hu Cheon Sobin.

“You didn’t come seeking this young master, did you?”

So Geom-hu denied Yoo Jinhwi’s assertion.

Swish.

She glided up to the pavilion with graceful steps.

It was a step infused with the essence of Moon Maiden’s Mystic Steps.

“I came looking for you, Young Master Yoo, including the others of the Gongdong Sect.”

“What’s your intention?”

Barely had So Geom-hu finished speaking when Seoharin fired a question at her.

The two gazes met. Faced with the eerily hollow, unfocused eyes of Seoharin, So Geom-hu shivered slightly.

As she fiddled with her teacup, she said, “······Our sect and your sect don’t have the best relationship. Moreover… I heard rumors that Seomun Cheong-ha has feelings for your young master.”

“W-What?! No, that’s not true?! Hey! Junior Cheon, you know me well enough. How can you say such nonsense?!”

Before Seomun Cheong-ha could finish, she retorted.

Her face illuminated by the moonlight turned bright red. Her heart raced.

Seeing Seomun Cheong-ha reacting as if caught with hidden feelings made Cheon Sobin smile.

As she said, Seomun Cheong-ha and she were acquaintances.

They had forged a bond two years ago at the Yongbong Society.

Which made her more certain.

The current Seomun Cheong-ha was infatuated with this young master, just like the rumors said in the martial world.

Cheon Sobin was sure of it.

Not only that.

“Seeing you being overly cautious, it’s highly likely Seomun is fond of that colorful horse as well.”

Her gaze turned to Seoharin.

With a blank expression and hollow eyes, it was difficult to read emotions from Seoharin. Yet, from the words of caution she threw, Cheon Sobin detected jealousy.

It was also suspicious that Yujinhwi, Seoharin, and Seomun Cheong-ha, excluding Lee Cheol-soo, were gathered together now.

Although Yujinhwi was a female, she was rather fond of her master Lee Cheol-soo. It was likely she was present today because she considered the master’s marriage a significant matter.

Cheon Sobin thought that way.

“I don’t know how that guy charmed the two of you…”

Cheon Sobin couldn’t understand.

Seoharin.

Her mixed-blood beauty was deemed the next top beauty of the orthodox faction.

It was irritating because Cheon Sobin thought she was even more beautiful than herself.

Not to mention Geombong Seomun Cheong-ha?

A talent recognized as one of the top five at Yongbong Society, and she was also the jewel of the Seomun Family.

How could such outstanding women fall for a colorful horse like Lee Cheol-soo?

“What could he possibly have that’s appealing?”

Well.

When she actually met Lee Cheol-soo, he did show a considerably different side from the rumors.

Despite being a colorful horse, he had rejected the advances of the beautiful girls and had offered his handkerchief to comfort her when she cried in front of everyone.

Still, Cheon Sobin couldn’t fully trust Lee Cheol-soo just yet.

However, now was the time to act like she admired Lee Cheol-soo.

Gazing at the two, Cheon Sobin said, “So, I came here to suggest something to both of you ladies who are fond of this young master.”

Cheon Sobin placed her hand delicately over her heart.

“You must be wary of my master. If my master marries this young master… then you both know very well that you may not have a chance at all, and even if you marry him, you would only become concubines.”

At her words, Seoharin flinched, and Seomun Cheong-ha shouted with a red face.

“Wh-What?! I’ve never thought of such a thing?!”

Seomun Cheong-ha denied it, but Cheon Sobin paid no mind.

“There’s a common goal between us three: to prevent my master and this young master from getting married.”

Cheon Sobin’s eyes sparkled.

“I, too, am fond of this young master like the two of you. But if my master marries him… then I would never be able to be with him.”

Cheon Sobin put on a glum expression.

“Though I respect my master… she’s someone who won’t have feelings for any man. If the young master’s marital life were to become unhappy, I can’t bear to watch him wed someone insincerely. So how about all three of us join forces?”

Cheon Sobin said in a pleading voice.

Seeing her, Seomun Cheong-ha squinted.

Just as Cheon Sobin seemed to perceive Seomun Cheong-ha’s affections, Seomun Cheong-ha knew her feelings were false too.

They were acquaintances, after all.

She was not so dull not to notice that.

So Geom-hu showed no signs of affection. She didn’t appear like a girl in love at all.

“What an idiot! Well, with how obvious it is, this fool of a young master must have figured out it’s a false confession right away!”

Seomun Cheong-ha thought as she got up from her seat.

It was crossing a line to propose an alliance with someone without real feelings, even if they were close friends.

Boiling with anger, Seomun Cheong-ha stood up and shouted.

“Hmph! Junior Cheon, what are you talking about? You don’t genuinely love this young master anyway, do you?! Don’t lie…!”

“Wait a moment, Seomun. Please calm down.”

What cut off Seomun Cheong-ha’s words was Seoharin’s composed voice.

Seeing her emotionless face and empty eyes, Seomun Cheong-ha closed her mouth.

Although a considerable amount of time had passed since she had been with Seoharin, she still wasn’t used to that emotionless face.

“Junior Cheon.”

“Please go ahead.”

Seoharin’s eyes turned toward Cheon Sobin.

She spoke in an uninterested voice.

“I am not concerned about whether Junior Cheon genuinely likes this young master or not.”

Seoharin’s eyes scanned Cheon Sobin.

With the cold glare, Cheon Sobin’s body trembled slightly.

She was emotionally blunt.

That’s why she was sensitive to the feelings of others.

So, Seoharin could tell.

Cheon Sobin’s affection wasn’t genuine.

“But that’s fine. I prefer it that way.”

However, that wasn’t the point.

So Geom-hu was the sole disciple of Geumhu. And she had already heard a confession directed toward Geumhu yesterday at the Grand Martial Arts Venue.

She needed a means to keep Geumhu in check. Just in time, So Geom-hu was the first to propose an alliance.

There was no reason to refuse.

Having no genuine feelings was arguably better. It would be troublesome if it were genuine. Juggling Geumhu was already overwhelming; expanding the battlefield was out of the question.

“She must’ve attempted a false confession to separate this disciple from the master, but after failing at this martial contest, she must have approached us.”

Seoharin’s clever mind spun quickly.

The image of So Geom-hu reflected in Seoharin’s blue eyes.

“An open book. Easy to use.”

Having made her judgment, Seoharin said, “As Junior Cheon said, we share mutual interests. Therefore, I will join forces with you.”

Cheon Sobin momentarily paused at Seoharin’s emotionless tone.

Though it sent a chill down her spine, she had no alternative.

To wrap Lee Cheol-soo in her arms, she needed the help of her surroundings.

“Sounds good!”

So Geom-hu beamed at Seoharin.

Seeing that, Seoharin awkwardly smiled.

This was what happened at the Hangshan Sect’s main base while Lee Cheol-soo was exploring the secret cave under the guise of a moonlit night.

*

On a bright moonlit night.

I swiftly navigated between the cliffs of Hangshan.

“It should be around here.”

The Geumhu’s Secret Cave.

The grave of the last disciple of the Sword Pavilion and the first leader of the Hangshan Sect, Baek Chuseol, in her twenties.

I wandered through the night of Hangshan, recalling the location of the Geumhu’s Secret Cave imprinted in my mind.

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