The Second Eunuch Regains His Manhood

Chapter 75: It Would Be Awkward If She Fell for Me Already

I had no choice but to think that way.

If she was at the level of Geumhu, she could have observed my training without me realizing it.

So, why on earth did she purposely get caught?

‘Is this a test after all?’

Geumhu Eun Seol-ran.

In my past life, I never faced her directly.

However, due to Dongchang’s role of monitoring the martial world, I had memorized all her private information.

Regardless of her intentions, Geumhu Eun Seol-ran maintained a strict external demeanor as the leader of the Hangshan Sect.

She had lived alone, sticking to her declaration that she would only take as a husband the man who defeated her.

If she were to act so sternly, it was plausible that she intentionally revealed herself to test me.

Using the excuse of evaluating my martial arts, it seemed she might want to see if I am worthy of being her husband through a preliminary duel.

I looked at Eun Seol-ran and said,

“Peeking at others’ training is a strict taboo in the martial world. I would assume that you, Senior Geumhu, are aware of this taboo…”

As I let the rising pillar of flames slowly subside, I gazed at Eun Seol-ran.

Regardless, the justification was on my side.

So, it was fine for me to be a little aggressive.

“Why have you crossed the taboo?”

As I said this with an expressionless face, Geumhu’s eyes trembled.

She placed her hand over her heart and bowed her head, saying,

“…I apologize, Young Master. While I was strolling around the Gongdong Sect Main Base, I unexpectedly caught a glimpse of you and was drawn in. I couldn’t help but take in your appearance with my eyes. It was my oversight.”

Geumhu apologized in a humble manner.

“I wish to make amends for my mistake by teaching you a move before the martial arts contest, is that alright?”

She spoke politely.

As I expected.

Even if she had broken a taboo of the martial world, she was still a prominent figure from the Orthodox Faction and the leader of the Hangshan Sect, known for her mastery.

Seeing her take such a humble stance before me, a mere junior, made it clear that if I pushed too hard, I might be criticized as rude.

So, I had to play along appropriately.

But why was she being so humble?

“It is an honor to receive teachings from the renowned swordswoman, Geumhu Eun Seol-ran.”

“Thank you for your forgiveness.”

After bowing her head, Geumhu drew her sword.

Swish.

With a clear sound, her sword was unsheathed.

This blade, the Lonely Moon Sword (고월검), was a treasure passed down from the Southern Sea Sword Pavilion during its era, now owned by the Hangshan Sect’s leader.

The silver of her hair sparkled beautifully under the sunlight.

“I will cede the first move to you, Young Master.”

Opportunities to receive teachings from a master like Geumhu are rare.

Certainly, in my past life, I had a higher level, but outwardly, I was still just a boy disciple of the Gongdong Sect, so I needed to feel honored to be in this position.

In my previous life, I was a master of the Nine Transformation Sound White Bird technique, not a sword master.

It was really a showy technique, like the ‘Regulation Preservation’ for gathering extreme energy.

So this life, I absolutely had to become a popular swordsman among women.

To do that, I first needed to reach an absolute level in swordsmanship, which meant building new foundations I hadn’t explored in my past life.

Manryu Gwijong isn’t all-powerful. Just because I mastered the technique up to a high level doesn’t mean my swordsmanship would automatically do the same.

Even with understanding the deeper aspects of the techniques, I still needed new efforts for developing skills in a martial art that was less familiar.

Well, even if I wasn’t used to the sword, I was used to effort.

To reclaim the lost potential, to reach a higher level with determination required more than just elixirs; it required a level of effort that surpassed ordinary limits.

I grasped the sword.

Maybe because I had tirelessly practiced swordsmanship to become a popular idol in the martial world, the grip of the handle felt unusually comfortable, wrapping around my hand.

Good.

I could also test out the Primordial Unity Technique in actual combat.

Geumhu was a suitable partner for me to use my full power against without issues.

Quietly, I began to operate the Minor Yang Heart Method and the Three Yin True Formula simultaneously. As the Yin-Yang Energy surged, just before it was about to collide…

Yujinhwi’s upgraded version of the Primordial Unity Technique went through my mind. Whooooosh. The chaotic Yin-Yang Energy separated just before the collision, with Yin energy flowing towards the Baihui point and Yang energy towards the Qihai point.

The moment I completed the process of Suin-Hwa-Gang, explosive energy surged throughout my body. I swung the sword towards Geumhu.

Boom.

The Demon Sword Technique.

Representing the Gongdong Sect, the Straight Shot of the Demon Sword, with its linear movements and lethal precision, unleashed its force upon Geumhu.

At that moment.

Geumhu raised her sword.

Zing!

A clear sword intent resonated from her Lonely Moon Sword.

With her silver eyes gleaming, she gracefully parried my Demon Sword with ease.

Clang!

The force I exerted surged up the sword’s grip.

“The Moon Return Sword, is it?”

The Moon Return Sword.

A supreme technique of the Hangshan Sect.

Not as revered as the Supreme Absorption Technique, which is passed down solely to Geumhu and her heir, So Geomhu, but still immensely powerful, rivaling the Demon Sword Technique.

After the Southern Sea Sword Pavilion’s downfall and the establishment of the Hangshan Sect, its founder combined and improved several supreme techniques that had survived.

Unlike the offensive nature of the Gongdong Sect, techniques from the Hangshan Sect were based on defense followed by counterattacks.

“That last strike was good, Young Master. However, there’s a slight deficiency.”

Geumhu looked at me with an emotionless face and swung her sword without hesitation.

Shing!

The silvery sword light blossomed before my eyes, multiplying into dozens.

Being called the greatest swordswoman of the female martial artists, I couldn’t defend myself against all of her attacks, even though the power she was using was at the same level as mine.

The silver light from her sword skimmed over my training clothes, which were already getting worn out.

As they tore, my solid chest was exposed.

Geumhu appeared to be intentionally adjusting her sword’s trajectory to avoid injuring me.

If I used my techniques, I might be able to best Geumhu… No, I can’t scuffle like a Hanam boy again now.

If I were to win against her through techniques, I would surely be criticized for not being manly, with people thinking, “Oh, tearing at Geumhu’s clothes like a love-stricken fool!”

I needed to defeat Geumhu with a sword. Only then could I make her mine.

I had to become a hero of the martial world, not a mere practitioner of the Jazz Technique. This way, I could realize my heroic aspirations.

If I fail to impress her during this trial… even if I win the martial arts contest later, I won’t be able to win her heart.

That would violate the Color Spectrum.

To win Geumhu Eun Seol-ran’s affection, both her heart and body, I had to demonstrate my achievements in swordsmanship right here.

Geumhu’s sword light flashed again.

Before my eyes, silver sword light swirled chaotically.

I raised my sword again, splitting my consciousness at the level of mastery.

In the slow perception of time, I endlessly reflected.

Was the Demon Sword Technique an absolute sword technique or was it merely a self-destructive technique that neglects defense?

No.

Gansu is the border of the Central Plains. In ancient times, Gongdong Mountain defended against invasions from the West.

Naturally, the martial arts of Gongdong Mountain would have developed through countless wars.

The practical essence of the martial arts arose from the culmination of all the schools combined under the Gongdong Sect, establishing the essence of self-defense and offense within its legacy.

Thus, practical doesn’t mean just enforcing offense; it includes defense as well.

In the fundamental techniques of the Gongdong Sect, the Seven Kill Sword represents Yang in offense, while the Mysterious Heaven Sword symbolizes Yin in defense.

The Demon Sword Technique is a Yin-Yang Reversal, taking it a step further from the Seven Kill and Mysterious Heaven techniques.

Should we say that if the Yin and Yang are reversed that the harmony of Yin and Yang has been lost? No.

If the balance of Yin and Yang is broken, the clash of energies within can lead to the condition of Deterioration Due to Reversing Heaven.

The martial arts of the Gongdong Sect pursue the reversed energy but do not seek to reverse the natural order.

That’s the distinction between the Demon Sect and the Gongdong Sect.

Thus, Yin-Yang Reversal is a method of seeking to harmonize rather than create disarray. It represents the harmony in the microcosm—the human body—as opposed to the macrocosm of the universe.

“Hehehe.”

With a small enlightenment about the Gongdong Sect’s martial arts, I smiled.

Like the Wudang Sect aiming for the Taiji, the Gongdong Sect’s reversals also aim for the harmony of Yin and Yang, simply using different methods towards the goal of unification.

The difference is whether it leads to the greater cosmos or the smaller cosmos.

Of course, the martial arts of the Wudang Sect that deal with the greater cosmos are of no use to me. Exploring that would do nothing for my energy. Not to mention, the Wudang Sect forbids its disciples from marrying, much like the Shaolin Temple—it’s a dreadful sect.

But the Gongdong Sect’s martial arts manipulating the small cosmos, the human body, were quite beneficial for a man. There was infinite utility.

When mastering the ultimate level of the Gongdong Sect’s techniques, one gains absolute energy and can withstand challenges across the Three-Storey Tea House without falling.

Thus, the Demon Sword Technique is not merely an offensive technique but rather a harmony of offense and defense imbued with the spirit of absolute energy.

It is reminiscent of how in the Cloud and Rain Pleasure, both offense and defense are vital.

The moment I grasped this understanding,

My sense of time returned to normal.

BOOM!

Following the pathway of the Primordial Unity Technique, my energy exploded upwards. I immediately activated the Reverse Flow Blood Technique. One rotation, two rotations, three rotations. My energy engulfed my body explosively.

Now!

I could see the tiniest gaps in the previously undetectable Moon Return Sword light.

Here it is…

I could do it.

I invoked the Final Demon Sword Technique, the pinnacle move of the Demon Sword Technique.

Whoosh. The Yin-Yang Energy circled within me, prompting an explosive surge in power. The sword echoed—my weapon felt as precious as an integral part of my body, like a towering ideal.

From the tip of the blade, faint black mist arose.

Swish!

It was sword energy.

I was finally at a level where I could assure victory against Seomun Cheong-ha.

I sent the sword energy toward the openings of the Moon Return Sword.

Bang!

Accompanied by a black flash of light, the sword energy ricocheted the entire light of the Moon Return Sword as the black energy-laden sword sailed toward Geumhu’s ample chest.

At long last, the revealed face of Geumhu. As I looked upon her beautiful visage, appearing in her mid-twenties, I smiled.

Yes.

This is what I wanted.

With this, I’d surely captured her interest. I made the right choice to learn a splendid sword technique instead of sticking to the flamboyant Jazz Technique.

The moment Geumhu’s eyes flickered at the sight of my harmonious blade, a faint smile appeared at the corner of her lips.

Her sword moved slowly but precisely, performing an impossible trajectory against my attack. Silver sword energy burst forth.

Clang!

Her Moon Maiden Sword blocked my Final Demon Sword Technique. At that moment, a powerful rebound rattled through the blades, hitting me hard.

The sword energy faded.

Without strength left, I fell forward.

After so long utilizing the level of mastery, combined with the exhilaration of reaching the first-rate level and finally unleashing sword energy, my consciousness began to blur.

Even in that moment, with blurry vision, I spoke the grand lines I had rehearsed in my heart before.

“The sword of our common bond… how… does it… feel, Geumhu Eun Seol-ran… I will surely… make you… mine…”

Before I could finish, I lost consciousness, but it didn’t matter.

With this, it was as good as passing the test.

It would be awkward if she fell for me already.

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