The Second Eunuch Regains His Manhood

160th Episode: Who is Calling Me?

Cheonma narrowed his eyes.

Just like with Jeoksawol earlier, he found Lee Cheol-soo’s actions increasingly incomprehensible.

“…The Seins call you Goeryong, so why do you insist on calling yourself Geomryong? A nickname is something given by others, not oneself. No matter how much the Martial Alliance gave you the moniker Geomryong, what does it mean if it’s not used?”

Cheonma’s gaze landed on Lee Cheol-soo.

He was right. Even Cheonma had climbed to the level of Hyun-gyeong before reaching adulthood, beheading the previous Cheonma to claim the title himself, hadn’t he?

“I am simply a swordsman. Therefore, it makes sense for my nickname to be Geomryong rather than Goeryong. It’s also a title bestowed directly by Grandmaster Do-hwang of the Martial Alliance.”

Yet, Lee Cheol-soo remained unfazed, smoothly articulating his words in front of Cheonma.

Cheonma’s pupils glinted. His innate ability, Cheonma Shin’an, was awoken. However, even with that insight, he could not grasp Lee Cheol-soo’s true intentions.

Such instances were rare.

Cheonma squinted.

‘I can’t tell if it’s truth or deception.’

Lee Cheol-soo’s figure came into view.

Normally, Cheonma had no interest in any other post-stimulation indicators besides Yujinhwi, who was a Cheonmuji-che.

He had only been slightly surprised when the number one rogue disguised himself as a post-stimulation indicator.

But Lee Cheol-soo.

The boy in front of him exhibited a peculiarity intriguing enough to capture Cheonma’s interest.

This young boy, merely at the level of utter transcendence, had forcibly drawn up his mind and joined Yujinhwi in an impressive stance.

At that moment, with his Cheonma Shin’an, Cheonma saw that Lee Cheol-soo’s energy was beyond mere levels of excellence.

Transcendence, or perhaps even more.

It was an energy flow that could only be explained by someone who had attained the soul of Hyun-gyeong.

Moreover, he displayed a façade that even Cheonma, despite being Cheonma himself, could not read, maintaining his beliefs without flinching even before the dreaded Cheongsama.

It was as if.

‘…I was looking at a scheming hero.’

A blend of a cunning minister and a hero, in other words, an embodiment of a scheming figure.

Cheonma felt as if he were gazing upon the personification of Cao Cao, the shrewd lord of a tumultuous era. The discrepancy between physical prowess and mental acuity was apparent.

Although Baek Murang had ascended to the position of Cheonma, this kind of opponent was a first for him. It felt as though he was facing the abyss of a bottomless pit, entirely unable to fathom them.

Not knowing their strength, feelings, or thoughts at all. It felt like confronting an illusion.

If that were the case.

Then he would have no choice but to unveil the truth.

Whoosh.

From his Dantian, the power of Cheonma Shin’gong surged. A domineering aura pierced toward Lee Cheol-soo like a spear.

Lee Cheol-soo, who had surely sensed the initiation of Cheonma Shin’gong, showed no change in expression.

Instead, he smiled. His expression was close to madness, causing Cheonma’s brows to furrow.

Cheonma, reigning at the apex of the Heavenly Horse Church, faced an overwhelming force that seemed to mock even him. The visage of a schemer, dominating the world, was not something one would expect from a sixteen-year-old boy.

Just then, as the energy of Cheonma Shin’gong was directed at Lee Cheol-soo.

“This rogue!”

With a crash, Yeon Sowol leaped into Lee Cheol-soo’s arms. Cheonma’s eyes widened in shock.

“Sir, I’m scared!”

In Lee Cheol-soo’s embrace, Yeon Sowol, or rather Jeoksawol, clung to his waist, trembling. Cheonma felt as if his sanity was soaring into the heavens.

‘What on earth is she doing?’

To see the number one rogue clinging to a post-stimulation indicator right before Cheonma himself.

It was a sight too excruciating to behold.

[Cheonma. Withdraw your energy. If you continue this test, I will interpret it as a challenge to my honor.]

Jeoksawol’s voice echoed in Cheonma’s mind.

Reluctantly, Cheonma withdrew his energy and sent a mental message.

[Yeomwang. What is your relationship with that brat that you would act to protect him? You are a rogue, and Lee Cheol-soo is an orthodox faction, are you not? Could it be that you truly have feelings for him?]

Surely not.

It was an impossible possibility, but without that explanation, it would be equally implausible to understand.

Most importantly, her face, flushed as she nestled in a post-stimulation indicator’s arms, seemed sincere.

To think that the ruthless and cunning number one rogue, who was said to abhor men, could harbor feelings for someone.

It was an unbelievable fact.

[Fallen for him? W-what are you talking about? It’s merely an act! Hmph. You don’t need to know. Should I tell you in detail about my circumstances?]

Jeoksawol’s voice resonated in his mind. Cheonma had retreated his energy.

After all, today wasn’t the only day. A time would come when he could uncover the truth of Lee Cheol-soo, this unknown man.

Cheonma thought and then spoke.

[Understood. I will call you separately later, so wait.]

[Hmph. You should have done this earlier.]

Hearing Jeoksawol’s grumbling voice, Cheonma pinched his temples.

‘It seems troublesome characters have entered our church.’

They were individuals one could never find in the New Religion.

But.

He grinned.

‘This just got a lot more interesting.’

Unexpected but irrelevant. Life in the New Religion was unbearably dreary. Everyone in the New Religion bowed down before him in absolute obedience.

The five devils, who supported the New Religion, and the Seven Generations of Magic Cult, who had dominated the church for years, only served to prop him up. He was like a deity in living flesh.

And being a god was awfully boring.

The Heavenly Horse Church is governed by the ruthless law of the strong. Even a third-rate demon could seize the position of Cheonma if he decapitated him. After all, Baek Murang himself had ascended to that throne in such a way.

But since he killed the previous Cheonma and took that position, no one dared to challenge him.

Cheonma himself knew well. His talent was overwhelming. It was on the level that even breathing made him stronger. Anyone who considered themselves impressive was nothing compared to him.

That overwhelming talent had conversely isolated him. No one would dare challenge him in the future either. Hence, Cheonma had lost the meaning of life since assuming the title of Sect Leader.

It was a life without meaning. Utterly hollow. Just a repetitive existence in a stagnant world. Perhaps even the invasion of the Central Plains would bring some excitement to his life.

But today.

With Cheonmuji-che and the demon Lee Cheol-soo, plus the strangely disguised number one rogue.

All these added a long-lost thrill to his life. Thus, Cheonma found joy in the current situation.

“Alright. The post-stimulation indicators of the Black and White Paths. That was a delightful encounter. Everyone return to your assigned lodgings. The ceremony for the title of the best post-stimulation indicator will be held in fifteen days, so until then, feel free to stay in the church. In the New Religion headquarters, except for the Heavenly Horse Secret Vault, feel free to roam wherever you wish. Experience and observe the power of our church.”

Cheonma took out four black jade tokens from his robe and tossed them into the air for the four post-stimulation indicators.

“If someone obstructs you, show them this jade token bestowed directly by me. And Yujinhwi.”

At Cheonma’s call, Yujinhwi lifted her head.

The smile on Cheonma’s face grew deeper as he met her gaze. Yes.

It was precisely that look.

The eyes of a genius, inheriting a talent unlike ordinary people. Hidden behind her vitality was a void that could only be carried by someone who was born with unreasonable talent, destined to survive in this fragile world.

And at the same time.

Cheonma realized it. Yujinhwi was akin to him.

Yujinhwi, too, might not empathize with the emotions and thoughts of others.

But her demeanor was both similar and different from that of Cheonma himself. While he had lost all interest in everything, bordering on the inhuman, Yujinhwi still retained a significant amount of humanity.

‘Why that is, I shall find out by watching. Cheonmuji-che.’

Thinking so, Cheonma issued the dismissal.

The three post-stimulation indicators and the number one rogue, Jeoksawol performed their bows and withdrew.

Creek.

The sliding doors closed, and as Cheonma rose from his seat, the view of the New Religion headquarters spread out before him through the window.

The vast and barren land, the Heavenly Mountain range dividing Xinjiang north and south, standing at the center was the headquarters of the Heavenly Horse Church.

As he gazed at the city where all resources of Xinjiang converged, Cheonma clasped his hands behind his back and smiled.

That was.

The thrill he felt after a long time, a smile expressing his will to live.

Whoosh. Cheonma’s black robe fluttered in the wind blowing through the window.

*

The encounter with Cheonma had ended.

Although I didn’t like how his gaze lingered, I was relieved that I managed to capture his interest.

If not, oh man. It would have been too dreadful to imagine.

“This rogue… heh heh heh. It’s a relief.”

The clingy Jeoksawol said to me. When Cheonma released his energy, I was confident I could hold my ground.

But Jeoksawol’s interruption had nullified that.

I unfurled Jeoksawol’s embrace and said, “We’ll be at the lodgings soon. You and our little sister have worked hard traveling such a long way, so please rest well.”

Cheonma kindly assigned us a guest residence within the Heavenly Horse Hall; orthodox factions and rogue factions each received separate quarters.

“So, are you referring to me as our little sister?”

Upon hearing my words, Wi Soryeon asked. I merely nodded.

“Well then, who else would it be besides you?”

“Huh, that…”

“Hmph! This rogue! How could you not treat me like a little sister?!”

Just as Wi Soryeon was about to voice something, Jeoksawol cut her off and directed it toward me.

What?

Treat like a little sister?

How old is Jeoksawol, referring to me like that?

I should be treating her like an older sister.

“Well then, I’ll head to the guest residence assigned with my senior. Senior, let’s go.”

“Okay.”

It was pointless to engage with Jeoksawol right now. I grabbed my senior’s arm, quickly bid farewell to Jeoksawol and Wi Soryeon, and made my way to our assigned guest residence.

Though called a hall, the Heavenly Horse Hall was more akin to a fortress than a mere palace. The guest residence inside the hall was extravagant enough to be described as a small mansion.

Upon arriving at the guest residence, I attempted to release my senior’s hand, yet she instead grabbed onto mine.

“Heh heh. Now it’s just the two of us, teacher and disciple.”

My senior smiled. The breathtaking beauty, now a stunning youth, illuminated the surroundings with her radiance.

A scent of wildflowers brushed against my nose.

“Disciple, shall we reinforce the bond of siblinghood after a long while?”

She whispered sweetly in my ear.

Reinforce siblinghood?

Seeing my senior, who looked like a boy outside but was a pretty girl inside, saying such things left me utterly confused.

A beautiful smile graced my senior’s lips.

Though she looked like a boy, and technically was a boy.

Now that I knew her true gender, I didn’t know how to interact with her. My mind went blank.

Just as I was about to say something.

Click.

The door to the guest residence opened.

“Goeryong-nim!”

One of the hooded figures in black approached me.

No.

The atmosphere was nice just a moment ago.

And I’m not Goeryong, okay?

I glared at the figure. He bowed curtly and spoke.

“Seongma-nim wishes to see you, Goeryong-nim!”

What?

Who is calling me?

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