SWNOVELXO Chapter 167
Chapter 167: Teachings of Love
Yeah.
I knew it would come to this. I stared directly at Cheonma as I spoke. Hidden behind Cheonma’s weapon-like gaze was a strong interest in me.
Tap tap tap.
I drummed my fingers on the table and said, “First of all, just to correct you, I am not Goeryong, but rather Geomryong.”
“······.”
Cheonma’s brow furrowed at my words.
But I stood my ground.
I am Geomryong. I endured the humiliation of participating in the finals of the Yongbong Society’s naked martial arts contest to earn this title. How could I possibly be referred to as Goeryong when I have an officially recognized title in the Martial Alliance?
This can’t stand.
With a small sigh, Cheonma stated, “Alright, Geomryong. What exactly is the Pleasure of the Heart?”
“There are different qualities of pleasure.”
“Qualities?”
“Indeed. Simple physical pleasure is merely base pleasure. That kind of lowly quantitative pleasure is just the pleasure of beasts. But we are not beasts; we are humans. Thus, no matter how much one enjoys Cloud and Rain Pleasure, we cannot fill the emptiness of the heart solely through physical copulation. Isn’t that right, Cheonma-senpai?”
Cheonma’s eyes trembled at my words.
That’s right.
There’s an old saying: Better a hungry human than a full pig, and better a dissatisfied Socrates than a satisfied fool!
That’s right.
As humans, we should seek a full life over that of a hungry pig, and pursue a dissatisfied Socrates over a satisfied fool.
Qualitative pleasure.
As humans, we should strive for qualitative, spiritual pleasure, and ultimately, through the fulfillment of qualitative pleasures, pursue the greatest happiness for the greatest number. This is the teaching of the great utilitarian, John Stuart Mill.
It was a teaching that could be likened to that of the great gynecologist Arnold Kegel, who founded the masterful technique of Kegel Exercises. My words—
“Indeed, that’s true. I indulged in Cloud and Rain Pleasure, but felt no real sensation from it.”
Cheonma paused slightly after hearing me, then spoke.
I knew.
Cheonma had seven wives. Baek Murang, a third-rate mind from a parentless background, rose to the position of Cheonma, and the seven beauties that the Seven Great Demons offered to him were there.
That’s right. Cheonma had completed the Samcheosacheop and was my role model.
“It’s merely a relationship of the body, excluding the Pleasure of the Heart. Cloud and Rain Pleasure should be a means, not an end. It must be the means by which two loving individuals confirm their affection for one another. Such Cloud and Rain Pleasure is the ultimate pleasure that fulfills both body and mind.”
To fulfill both body and mind.
That was the spectrum I was pursuing. In reality, the importance of mental pleasure in sex has been proven by modern medicine. The so-called love hormone, dopamine, released when two people are in love is evidence of this. During sexual activity, couples release doubly the amount of dopamine, intensifying pleasure.
“A relationship of merely the body… So you’re saying I should… love my wives?”
Cheonma asked me.
“Yes. Isn’t it evident that marriage is the fruit of love? As a man, the ultimate rite of taking responsibility for a woman is marriage. Just as the saying goes, ‘One must govern oneself before governing the state,’ how can a man who cannot manage his home and neglects his wife and children hope to conquer the world or reach the absolute level?”
As I spoke, Cheonma took a swift sip of tea.
“But I don’t know what ‘governing oneself’ means. And how to love.”
Cheonma said to me.
I looked at Cheonma and replied, “That’s only natural. In fact, I don’t know much either. Perhaps that’s because both you and I have never had proper families.”
That’s right. Cheonma and I shared a common point—being orphans.
Even in modern Korea, in past lives, and in the present, I was an orphan. I had no parents. Relatives viewed me as a burden. It would have been better if I hadn’t existed.
I grew up alone.
That was until I met Hwang Sang. In the forbidden city, resembling a den of demons, the only one who stood by my side was Hwang Sang.
I looked at Cheonma. Though I had only read bits about his history from Dongchang’s records, I could easily picture his life.
An orphan. One who doesn’t know their parents’ faces. Yet, he had talent. Cheonma’s twisted personality likely stemmed from such a past.
“It’s only natural to be ignorant of how to treat family. So now, we must learn.”
“But I cannot bring myself to care about them. I thought they weren’t worth it.”
“The value you hold the highest is martial arts, isn’t it?”
“That’s correct.”
Cheonma nodded at my words.
Cheonma’s disinterest in family stemmed from the fact that his children and wives weren’t born with the talent he valued.
But I knew.
The Grand Princess, Baek Cheon-hwa. She, destined to become the Little Sect Leader, had potential enough to reach the Stage of Transcendence, though not quite at Cheonma’s level.
Cheonma ruined her. Baek Cheon-hwa wanted recognition from Cheonma more than anyone, yet he showed no interest in her since she lacked equal talent.
The only one Cheonma cared about was our Sahyeong, who possessed potential to surpass him.
What if he had paid just a bit more attention to Baek Cheon-hwa?
Her genius might have blossomed. After all, Baek Cheon-hwa was more talented than I am. I too reached the Stage of Transcendence, so there was no way she couldn’t.
“So, pay attention to the Grand Princess. Her talent is far greater than what you think, Cheonma-senpai.”
“Cheon-hwa? Hmm. To me, Cheon-hwa’s talent seems just passable, at most comparable to the Five Demons. Nothing more, nothing less. Sure, from a general perspective, they may see it as extraordinary talent, but for one who shares my blood, she’s no more than a fool lacking significantly. I find no interest in that. Of course, if, as you say, she fully realizes her potential, then perhaps one day she can reach my level. But I’m not very interested in that low possibility.”
Cheonma spoke in a cold voice.
“Cheonma-senpai. It goes without saying which is more intriguing: a talent fully developed from the start or one that you personally nurture into completion. Besides, what the Grand Princess desires most is her father, Cheonma-senpai’s love, attention, and praise. If that need is fulfilled, her talent will blossom brilliantly. And that doesn’t cost you anything.”
That’s right.
Motivation. That is the secret to unlocking human potential.
Between the carrot and the stick, Cheonma had only ever used the stick until now.
After hearing my scientific words, Cheonma slurped his tea again.
“If the Grand Princess’s martial achievements rise, Cheonma-senpai will naturally… come to love her as a father. It is only then that the Pleasure of the Heart will be fulfilled. True human pleasure, rather than the pleasure of beasts.”
“······Interesting.”
Clink.
Cheonma placed his teacup down.
“I’ve heard you well. To have so effortlessly toyed with me using just your tongue is something no one has done before. Georong, today’s conversation with you has been quite amusing.”
Cheonma smiled slightly, and a strong emotion flared in his gaze directed at me.
No.
To receive such a fiery look from a man.
I slightly recoiled and said, “It was an honor to meet you, Cheonma-senpai.”
“······After the Ceremony of Martial Arts to the Heavenly Horse, let’s meet like this again. Georong. Then…”
Cheonma’s gaze fell upon me.
“…I hope it will be enjoyable, just like today.”
With that last comment, Cheonma rose from his seat.
“No need to see me off.”
With Cheonma’s words, a flash of light erupted, and his energy swept through the reception room.
Soon after, I witnessed Cheonma soaring through the night sky, performing his incredible techniques beyond the bars.
Left alone in the reception room, I looked at Cheonma’s empty teacup and smiled.
Soon it will be the Heavenly Horse Banquet.
Baek Cheon-hwa, I wonder what kind of appearance she will present.