A Medieval Knight in a Martial Arts Novel

“Uncle, I can really feel that we’ve come to Yunnan now that we’ve reached Qujing!”

“…That’s true.”

Yunnan, with its tropical climate, was different from the Central Plains. It felt more like a foreign country rather than just another part of the Central Plains.

…Actually, wasn’t this place only half-considered part of China around this time?

It was a region where many ethnic groups, not just the Han, lived together.

“Here, Uncle, even you look relatively ordinary.”

“But there doesn’t seem to be anyone with colored eyes.”

“…Just like the old days.”

Interrupting our casual conversation, Mok-kyeong mumbled. We simultaneously fell silent and looked at her.

Was it because of her sad past? Since entering Yunnan, Mok-kyeong had become even more reticent than usual. Normally, she wasn’t very talkative, but it was clear her silence had deepened.

We were trying to care for her more attentively, but the gloom on her face refused to disappear.

Maybe we came here too soon.

Even if she was somewhat prepared, Mok-kyeong was still too young to have properly braced herself for this journey.

“…First, let’s find an inn.”

“You’re right, Uncle. We should get an inn right away!”

Hye-ryeong immediately agreed with my suggestion and pointed toward an inn in the distance.

The Flowery Inn.

It’s a fairly elegant name. Judging by its respectable exterior, it seemed to be a popular inn.

“Let’s check it out.”

“Let’s go.”

We headed straight for the Flowery Inn. As we approached, the number of curious gazes from the people nearby began to increase.

There they go recognizing us again.

“Someone with colored eyes…”

“A man with colored eyes traveling with two women…could it be the Lion Sword Hero?”

Two women?

Is someone mistaking Mok-kyeong for a woman because of her delicate appearance?

“Isn’t he considered a supreme martial arts master?”

“Pfft, that’s probably just a rumor. Still, since he’s a well-known martial artist, let’s not provoke him unnecessarily.”

I can hear every word.

Pretending not to notice the murmurs, I entered the inn, then turned around.

“Guess we came because there’s trouble brewing inside the inn.”

“…We should probably look for somewhere else.”

“Keh.”

Even if I wanted to, I could settle this situation within an hour, but do I really need to? Certainly, if I helped, I might stay for free as a reward, but we’re not short on funds.

Given how wealthy I’ve become, I could afford to buy the entire inn outright without issue. No need to entangle ourselves in this unnecessary trouble.

“Then let’s go somewhere else…”

“Who do you think you’re talking to? I’m from the Great Four Blood Sect…”

To my surprise, an unexpected encounter arrived just as we were leaving.

“Uncle, the Four Blood Sect, that means…”

“Kyung-ah!”

I grabbed Mok-kyeong’s shoulder as she tried to dart forward. Glancing up at me, she opened her mouth with deeply pent-up emotions.

“Master Eun-gong, would you let go please?”

“That guy is just a pawn. If you want to catch a big fish, you can’t rush in now.”

If Mok-kyeong draws attention to herself, things might escalate quickly. It would only raise their guard against us if we act without fully understanding the situation.

“But…”

“Remember the saying that even a gentleman’s revenge is not too late if it comes after ten years. Revenge should not cloud your judgment.”

“Emotional revenge is bound to fail.”

“… I understand.”

Thank goodness. She understood what I meant.

Even though the words came out of the spur of the moment, perhaps thanks to my experiences, Mok-kyeong calmed down, nodded, and accepted my reasoning.

In that case, let’s head in.

Holding Mok-kyeong behind me, I approached the center of the commotion.

“…What a mess.”

Confirming a large toad-like person overturning tables and causing havoc, I quietly approached him.

“What is this commotion about?”

“And who are you…”

Oh, upon closer inspection, it’s a toad, not a frog.

Witnessing the blood draining from his bloodshot face, I slightly adjusted my hat.

Our eyes met.

“The Lion Sword Hero…”

“Answer me.”

“I, I mean, the innkeeper made the food…”

“The food?”

“T, too bland…”

Turning away from the toad, I looked at the broken table and the food littering the floor. So he did all this because he thought the food was bland?

“Well, let’s set that aside for now. Didn’t you mention the Four Blood Sect? I have business with them…”

I baited a subtle question and waited for his reaction.

Fortunately, he swallowed it immediately.

“Actually, I’m not from the Four Blood Sect!”

Huh.

What nonsense is this guy spouting?

Do I need to use some special skill to make him tell the truth?

While I was seriously pondering that, the guy grabbed my clothes, as if clinging to me as his only chance of survival, and began blurting out nonsense.

“I heard that the Four Blood Sect has been doing well in Yunnan lately, so I just borrowed their name!”

“So you’re willing to risk losing your head by borrowing a name like that?”

“Ah, but since the Four Blood Sect’s influence hasn’t fully reached this place yet, I thought impersonating them wouldn’t be a problem!”

Any passerby would think this guy has already been tortured at least once. Watching him spill everything like this, I sighed.

This guy has no idea how close he was to losing his head several times already.

Because I’m the one suppressing Mok-kyeong’s murderous intent.

“First, pay the innkeeper for the damages, then come talk to me.”

“I know nothing!”

“No knowledge means the end of your martial arts life, does it?”

“A-Ah, no!”

“Quit stammering and pay the innkeeper for everything before following me.”

Grabbing his collar, I approached the innkeeper who had been hiding and watching from a corner. He stiffly exchanged a bow, looking at the money pouch I took from him, and spoke.

“This is more than enough. Thank you, Lion Sword Hero. Truly befitting a renowned hero of the Central Plains…”

“Save the flattery, just reserve two rooms for us.”

“…Master Eun-gong, could we make it three rooms?”

…Mok-kyeong needs some time alone to think.

“Then three.”

“Of course, that’s natural.”

“Thanks.”

“Not at all. Just calming the disturbance was…”

“It’s just doing my duty. I need to talk with this guy for a moment, so please excuse me.”

Leaving the bowing innkeeper behind, I dragged my captor to a secluded spot.

“Tell me everything you know about the Four Blood Sect.”

Although I could obtain complete details from the Hwaomon branch, I wanted to hear some raw information from this guy. Sometimes, refined and direct information diverge significantly.

“The Four Blood Sect has been expanding its power quickly in Yunnan recently. With its disciples numbering in the thousands, there are rumors circulating that they intend to take over the Yunnan region and form an alliance against the Martial Alliance.”

“Against the Martial Alliance.”

This matches the original story.

My only deviation was arriving before its establishment.

“Are there no forces opposing this?”

“…All forces trying to oppose have either been wiped out or sealed.”

Crack.

The sound of grinding teeth pierced my ears. Gently, I suppressed Mok-kyeong’s tightly clenched hand.

“Is the Martial Alliance doing anything in response to this?”

“Ever since the Pointed Crane Sect was wiped out, the Martial Alliance has had little influence in Yunnan.”

“After the forces responsible for maintaining order in Yunnan, after the Pointed Crane Sect, were all destroyed overnight, the Four Blood Sect’s growth has been unchecked.”

They must have expanded their influence, disregarding all means. Even Yunnan’s prominent families couldn’t withstand their power.

I’ll have to compare stories with Hwaomon members to confirm the truth.

“Are there any other rumors?”

“Um…the sect master of the Four Blood Sect is a lecher…”

“Are you mocking me?”

“Ah, no! That’s all I know!”

“…Then get out of here. If I catch you causing trouble again, your head’s going to end up on a pike.”

“Y-yes! Thank you!”

The man fled from the inn like a panicked rabbit.

“Uncle, the Four Blood Sect must be pretty powerful.”

“Their influence seems to be growing much faster than expected.”

It’s not surprising if, during nearly 10 years since Mok-kyeong left, they’ve gradually taken over Yunnan.

The Martial Alliance can’t stop the sect’s expansion partly because this area is only half under Chinese jurisdiction.

And because many ethnic groups live here, the region is open yet exclusive.

This makes the people unwilling to accept the Martial Alliance here.

After all, the Martial Alliance is essentially a Han-dominated organization.

“…However big they grow, I will take my revenge.”

A chilling voice slithered down my neck. I met Mok-kyeong’s eyes as they revealed an unusual expression.

Such a familiar look.

I thought of my comrades who went mad with revenge and lost their lives.

…I can’t let her end up like them.

“I’ll help you, but we’ll systematically crush the Four Blood Sect.”

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