The Second Eunuch Regains His Manhood

Chapter 11: The State of No Self

Gongdong Sect’s Grand Martial Arts Venue.

In this sunlit place, I was listening to my master.

He held my wrist and checked my pulse.

Lately, I felt horrified by too much skinship with men, but since I couldn’t avoid entering the path of internal power, I quietly accepted my master’s pulse check.

“As Hwiyah said, Cheol-soo, your foundation is already sufficiently completed. From now on, we can reduce external training and focus on internal training.”

Jeonyeong said this in a casual tone.

Behind him, my incredibly good-looking senior was mouthing ‘Disciple, good for you. Hang in there.’ with a smile while waving his hand.

The sparkle in his eyes was a bit overwhelming.

Ever since we finished that clingy and gross skinship yesterday, his mental state seemed off.

Even earlier, while trying to awkwardly help me cook breakfast in the kitchen, he caused a fuss.

What the heck is going on?

Could it really… no way?

It can’t be. That’s just how guys that age usually are.

Right, let’s not overthink this.

Thinking so, I continued to focus on my Kegel exercises.

Since the regression, I hadn’t skipped even once, except for sleep time, and now the Kegel exercises were so ingrained in my body that I didn’t consciously think about it — it was in a state of no self.

“Thank you, Master. But I don’t want to reduce external training.”

After loosening my horse stance, I spoke respectfully to my master.

While I was grateful to begin internal training, I couldn’t stop external training.

Of course, I understood my master’s point.

External power is the foundation of martial arts and very important, but one cannot become a master relying solely on it.

In the Martial World, external power is but an assistant; internal power is the main course.

Thus, after entering internal training, it was only natural to minimize external training and increase the focus on internal training.

External training should be practiced just enough to maintain physicality, with the rest devoted to internal power and swordsmanship.

This was the most universally acknowledged training method across all sects in the Martial World, from the lowly to the supreme mastery of Hwakyung.

One could say it is the ‘Textbook of Martial Arts.’

‘But I can’t do that.’

I couldn’t accept that.

External training was my only means to achieve the ultimate physical beauty that would capture women’s hearts.

But being told to minimize external training like everyone else?

No way!

Wiggle.

My statement raised my master’s eyebrows.

“You don’t want to reduce external training? What does that mean?”

He asked in a slightly stern tone.

Defying my master was a risky move.

But external training was so crucial to me that I was willing to take that risk.

What good is it to become a hero of the Martial World?

Beside me was the ultimate beauty, with a face combined better than Cha Eun-woo, Gang Dong-won, Won-bin, and Jang Dong-gun put together.

To win the heart-stealing contest against such a senior, I had to perfect the ultimate physique.

The only downside to my perfectly handsome senior was his comparatively weak build.

I had to exploit that gap.

Thus, it was necessary.

Not just any physique, but one that could make women fall for muscle lines at first glance—an ultimate level of attractiveness.

Moreover, I couldn’t give up my efficient lower body training through horse stance.

For the sake of the ultimate color spectrum, lower body and waist training through horse stance was not optional but essential.

I spoke to my master, putting on the face of a slightly shy yet confident young child, with my mouth slightly wet.

“I am clumsy compared to the talented senior. To help him and rebuild our sect, I need more than regular effort.”

While external training is an aid to internal power, external training after entering internal power isn’t totally pointless.

Its efficiency might be terrible, but external training after entering internal power still had a clear effect.

Even with the same sword technique, there’s a difference between swinging it solely with internal power and swinging it with added strength from being physically superior.

In fierce life-and-death situations, even slight differences can often be the deciding factor.

Of course, it is much more efficient to raise one’s level in other areas rather than create slight differences through inefficient external training.

Martial artists are still people.

Naturally, one can’t just repeat training 24/7.

If internal training was piled on top of external training, I’d be far too busy, barely able to breathe.

Well, that’s true for ordinary martial artists.

But not for me.

I wouldn’t neglect external or internal training.

Only then could I enjoy the three wives and four concubines, and the pleasures of cloud and rain.

Every droplet of sweat today would together build the future’s wine pond and meat forest.

With grand ambitions, I lifted my fiery eyes to stare directly at my master and said, “I need overwhelming effort to bridge the gap of natural talent. If I follow others’ ways, I cannot stand beside my senior nor rebuild our fallen sect. Thus, I cannot reduce external training.”

I looked straight at my master.

With this, I’m sure my master now regards me as “a stubborn disciple who loves his sect and works hard to overcome his mediocre talent.”

“Hmm…”

Upon hearing my words, Jeonyeong stroked the stubble under his chin.

*

Jeonyeong’s gaze fell on Lee Cheol-soo.

‘He’s unusually mature for his age, so he must already know.’

Cheol-soo’s talent was average.

For two months, his effort surpassed that of an average person, but even so, Jeonyeong judged his peak achievement to be at the first-rate level, reliant on sheer luck to reach the pinnacle.

‘The Martial World is ruthless to those without talent.’

The realms reachable through effort and ordinary martial arts for average and clumsy talents extend only to the first rate.

The domain beyond that belongs to the gifted, a privilege of those with talent.

Without the intervention of luck through coincidences like fortuitous encounters or heavenly aids, neither the average nor the clumsy could reach the pinnacle.

Even prodigies need efforts that exceed ordinary limits to achieve anything beyond the ultra-pinnacle without support from their sect.

The reason esteemed sects produce exceptional talents is that they possess methods to replace heavenly luck and the ascending supreme techniques that guarantee achievements beyond the highest level.

Moreover, excellent training environments, teachings from experienced sect members, recipes for suitable martial arts, and facilities like secluded caves or excellent training grounds contribute to this.

Through these tangible and intangible assets, esteemed sects can self-generate prodigies without any luck required.

That’s why talents flock to esteemed sects.

They provide support for prodigies to reach the ultra-pinnacle and average talents to achieve first-rate levels.

On the other hand, the Gongdong Sect was no longer an esteemed sect but a fallen one.

The ascending supreme techniques and heavenly medicinal recipes had already been rendered useless, and with the destruction of the main base, the training environments, systematic methods, and disciple education guidelines had all turned to ashes.

‘Generally, after entering internal training, excessive external training is inefficient and should be avoided…’

Logically, that’s how it is.

But for the Gongdong Sect’s current predicament, that wasn’t the case.

For a talent like Cheol-soo, who was average, to become strong enough to stand beside senior Yujinhwi in a fallen sect that lacks excellence in training environments, good medicinal pills, or guarantees of high achievements, he would indeed need overwhelming effort to transcend the average.

Hence, Cheol-soo’s childish remarks bizarrely turned out to be the right answer in this situation.

For him to reach first-rate levels in a fallen sect, only extraordinary effort, not ordinary efforts, could suffice.

Of course, that’s more theoretical.

Realistically thinking, it’s nearly impossible for an average person to cope with such training load…

‘But maybe, just maybe Cheol-soo could…’

From what I’ve observed over the past two months, while Cheol-soo is an average talent, he’s no average person.

With a level of determination that allows him to smile even while enduring severe external training, he might just manage to surpass his limits.

That would normally be impossible.

It shouldn’t be allowed.

But in light of the Gongdong Sect’s unique situation and Cheol-soo’s fierce will and determination she had seen so far, Jeonyeong felt his heart stirring.

Jeonyeong’s eyes met Cheol-soo’s.

They say eyes reflect the heart.

Beyond Cheol-soo’s eyes lay a burning passion, unimaginable for someone of his age.

‘What a young disciple, yet he already thinks about rebuilding the sect and the martial arts.’

Jeonyeong sighed in his heart.

Cheol-soo was young.

He thought maturely, but he didn’t expect such deep thoughts.

He could have felt dispirited by the overwhelming talent gap with his senior, or harbored jealousy toward Yujinhwi’s natural gifts and act out.

Even so, at his age, if heard that difficulties in external training could be relaxed, he’d usually likely be thrilled.

But Cheol-soo was different.

He spoke about supporting his senior and rebuilding the sect, insisting on becoming stronger through more effort than others.

‘At such a young age, to decide for the sake of his senior and sect… Cheol-soo is sincere and strong-hearted. If he keeps this spirit, he could become a legendary hero in the Orthodox Faction of the Martial World.’

Jeonyeong revised his opinion of Cheol-soo.

He was average but not common, possessing the qualities of a knight-errant.

As the chief of the prestigious Orthodox Faction, Jeonyeong couldn’t help but admire Cheol-soo’s resolve.

It would be foolish for a master to deter a disciple who wishes to focus on martial arts to rebuild the sect.

Of course, the burning enthusiasm Cheol-soo had in his eyes was towards women, but Jeonyeong was oblivious.

The moment he recognized Cheol-soo’s passion and qualities of a knight-errant, Jeonyeong made his decision.

“Very well.”

Cheol-soo’s eyes sparkled at Jeonyeong’s words.

Feeling Cheol-soo’s ambition, Jeonyeong internally smiled with pride and added,

“Then, I will allow you to practice both external and internal martial arts. However, if it becomes too difficult, just tell me anytime; you can stop. Understood?”

“Yes, I understand! Master!”

Cheol-soo replied with shining eyes.

‘Haha, that kid! Such ambition and enthusiasm… I’m impressed. I feel a bit embarrassed myself.’

When Jeonyeong was younger, he didn’t possess the strong sense of justice like Cheol-soo.

He would definitely raise Cheol-soo into a knight-errant.

Just then,

“Master! I also want to train external martial arts alongside my disciple!”

Yujinhwi, who had been standing behind Cheol-soo, raised her hand with sparkling eyes.

“Hmm. Hwiyah, why do you want to train external martial arts with Cheol-soo? You have no need for it.”

“Master, I have realized after hearing the disciple’s words. To rebuild our sect, ordinary effort won’t suffice. No matter how talented I am, I’m still just an unrefined gem. To truly transform into a true jewel, I believe relentless effort beyond what I put in now is needed.”

Yujinhwi spoke articulately with sparkling eyes.

Her words did hold weight.

Even for the talented, effort was still necessary.

Actually, for a prodigy, crossing beyond the ultra-pinnacle into the absolute realm of Hwakyung required tirelessly earnest effort.

From that perspective, granting Yujinhwi permission to train in external martial arts, if she could manage it, may not be a bad thing.

“Moreover, external training is tough. I can’t just let my disciple train alone. As a senior, I want to help him.”

Yujinhwi smiled cheerfully.

Hearing her words, Cheol-soo sputtered inwardly at the thought of enduring sweaty training with yet another devilishly handsome senior, but with superhuman patience and acting skills, he maintained his usual face.

Whether Cheol-soo was boiling inside or not, Jeonyeong couldn’t help but smile faintly at Yujinhwi’s words.

‘Haha. Even though she’s dressed as a man, Yujinhwi is still a woman. I thought it would take time for these two to bond, but Yujinhwi has stepped forward so actively for her disciple… I never expected the bond between the seniors to deepen so quickly.’

He envisioned the future where these two would become well-known in the Martial World and enhance the Gongdong Sect’s reputation.

‘At last, I can fulfill my late teacher’s wish.’

In his mind’s eye, he could almost see the figure of his deceased master, Cheonroe-geom Lim Baek-seon.

During the demonic sect invasion fifty years ago, Lim Baek-seon was the only survivor of the Gongdong Blood Temple.

He couldn’t forget the memories of that day when, having broken the sect rules to sneak out at night and receiving a light punishment, the demonic sect invaded and burned down the main base while he was in seclusion.

He remembered the senior master protecting the entrance, who said, “Even if we sacrifice ourselves to defend against the demonic sect, you must survive. The legacy of our sect must continue,” which he vowed never to forget.

And thus, he survived.

After the invasion, he hid for an extra week, surviving on water from the cave and empty culinary vessels, and when he emerged, all that awaited him were the ruins of the burned main base and the gruesome corpses of his senior masters.

The memory of that day haunted him throughout his life, and as his disciple who entered the path after the Gongdong Blood Temple, Jeonyeong understood fully.

“Rebuild the sect.”

That was Lim Baek-seon’s dying wish, and Jeonyeong willingly bore it.

Reflecting on the past, Jeonyeong closed his eyes for a moment and opened them again.

With the exceptional talent of Yujinhwi and the ordinary yet resolute and passionate Cheol-soo harboring a strong sense of justice, if Yujinhwi led the way and Cheol-soo supported from behind, the rebuilding of their sect, wished for so fervently by his late teacher, would soon become a reality.

Jeonyeong nodded, managing to hide his deeply satisfied heart.

“Very well, Hwiyah. If that is your wish, then proceed.”

“Thank you, Master!”

Yujinhwi happily exclaimed after receiving permission, while Cheol-soo sighed inwardly but maintained a facade of joy while looking at her.

Watching these two, Jeonyeong couldn’t help but admire the bond of brotherhood and sisterhood.

“Then, both of you will train in external martial arts afterward. Hwiyah, during the time I teach Cheol-soo internal power, you may continue to practice the Minor Yang Sword Method. Cheol-soo, it’s time to teach you internal power. Sit in meditative posture and close your eyes.”

*

I followed Jeonyeong’s instructions, sitting in the meditative posture and closing my eyes.

“I will now impart the Minor Yang Heart Method, which is the foundational heart method of our sect. While I recite the incantations, you must memorize them.”

Jeonyeong began to chant the incantations of the Minor Yang Heart Method.

As it was a basic heart method, the incantations were straightforward, so it didn’t take me long to memorize.

However, since I was acting as a clumsy person, I pretended that it took me a long time to memorize.

Several hours passed.

“Have you memorized everything?”

By now, most people would have finished reciting.

In fact, as a foundational heart method, the incantations weren’t lengthy or complicated.

“Yes.”

“Good. Now, I will inject internal power into you, guiding your energy according to the incantation of the Minor Yang Heart Method. As I do, keep reciting the incantation in your mind, and remember well the route through which my internal power travels.”

As Jeonyeong’s words ended, he placed his hand on the Mingmen point on my back, near the spine.

In that moment.

His warm internal energy surged into me through the meridians.

This was not the cold, queer energy of the regulation preservation, but the warm, yang energy entering me for the first time.

A jolt ran down my spine.

A wave of pleasure washed over my whole body.

No longer would I have to tremble from the cold, extreme yin energy of the regulation preservation, turning my body into a pale shadow of itself.

As my achievements deepened, my physique was changing feminine, my voice was becoming thinner—these were the trashy side effects of the regulation preservation that changed a man into an eunuch, and now, they would be goodbye forever.

Regulation preservation, be gone; I am a man now.

Finally, I could learn genuine martial arts.

The moment I felt Master’s warm energy entering me, it suddenly hit me.

Drip.

A warm tear rolled down my cheek.

It was a tear mixed with complicated emotions of touch, regret, resentment, and joy.

Today, I had finally reborn as a true martial master, not just an eunuch.

---