A Medieval Knight in a Martial Arts Novel

“Great Hero Wi, your visit must surely be concerning the Sare Blood Cult.”

“That’s correct.”

The branch chief pulled out five thick books from the bookshelf and placed them on the desk.

It seemed they had been gathering information for a long time.

This was also evidence that the Sare Blood Cult’s activities had been quite extensive.

“Even after organizing the information into five volumes’ worth of documents, I’ll just explain the key points to you. The Sare Blood Cult has almost taken control of a third of Yunnan province. Their disciples number more than a thousand, and they are gradually recruiting high-level fighters from the Evil sects, strengthening their foundation even more.

Perhaps, not long from now, we might see a union of the Evil sects.”

A union of the Evil sects.

Although I don’t know under what name it might appear…in the original story, the Sare Blood Cult was no more than a big hunting dog for the Demonic Sect, useful only for muscle. They amassed considerable strength solely to hand it over to the Demonic Sect.

However, having gradually diminished the influence of the Demonic Sect, it was possible that a genuine coalition among the Evil sects might form in the worst-case scenario.

If that happened…things might get more complicated.

“You’ve gathered quite some information.”

“We are also putting pressure on the Haaowen branch in Yunnan Province. It’s impossible not to know, even if we’d rather not.”

Was he trying to bring Haaowen under his command? Or just the ones in Yunnan?

Espionage organizations are very helpful when running a large organization, so he might think of substituting Haaowen. Whoever it is, there are certainly some clever minds at work here.

“And?”

“The leader of the Sare Blood Cult is shrouded in secrecy, but they’re estimated to be a formidable martial arts expert. Their sect affiliation is unknown, but they’ve reportedly subdued two peak-level martial artists in an instant.”

Two peak-level martial artists.

It’s not that impossible, but even among peak-level experts, how skilled they are in actual combat varies.

Put simply, a peak-level expert who became one solely through practice and talent would naturally lose to one who reached that level through countless battles.

For the prideful experts to be brought under the Sare Blood Cult leader, naturally, the leader also has to be a highly exceptional martial artist.

Since there’s a gap of one year, the leader probably isn’t as strong as in the original story…but in the original tale, Mok-kyeong only confronted them after reaching super peak-level status, so if they were to fight now, Mok-kyeong might lose.

…Or, Mok-kyeong’s insane talent could instantly push them to super peak-level status, turning all barriers into nothing more than paper walls.

One couldn’t outright deny the possibilities when it came to Mok-kyeong’s talent.

…Kind of enviable.

“Is the location of the Sare Blood Cult leader known?”

“That… we have been unable to figure that out either. Their defenses are quite thorough, and since we’re under pressure from the Sare Blood Cult, there are limits to our ability to gather information.”

“What do you think about pretending to give up while secretly digging for information?”

“…If we’re caught, it’ll be the end for us.”

That’s true.

Unless one belongs to the righteous factions, the Evil sects, which are close to being criminal organizations by nature, would likely eradicate anyone who goes against their word. Even more so since the Sare Blood Cult has wiped out numerous clans and sects in Yunnan.

Haaowen, despite hiding in the shadows, couldn’t possibly escape the influence of the Sare Blood Cult.

Haaowen isn’t composed of martial artists in the first place, so that makes things worse.

That means my options are getting narrower.

Even someone as capable as me can’t subdue thousands of martial artists alone. Requesting a martial competition would be the best plan if I could only meet the Sare Blood Cult leader…but the real question is can I even get an opportunity?

I tapped my fingers on the desk as I lost myself in thought.

“Do you have any background information on the experts who’ve entered the Sare Blood Cult?”

“Not everyone’s been confirmed, but it’s certain that the experts Langa Do Quan Xiong, Paelyukbu Mokun, and Hyulpunggeom Myeong Geon have come under the leader’s command.”

…I don’t recognize any of them.

They never appeared in the original.

In the original story, they only showed up publicly at one point, challenging to a battle to the death, and were immediately killed.

The issue is that, at this point, with their influence not fully established, unless the Sare Blood leader is a bonehead, it’s unlikely they’d appear in the open.

“Is there a way to lure out the Sare Blood Cult leader?”

“If the Sare Blood Cult suffers catastrophic damage, they will have no choice but to appear, right?”

“To cause such catastrophic damage, I’d probably need to throw a few Wallbreaker Bombs at least.”

Since mass killings are a prerequisite, it’s not an option for me. I’m not some maniac who kills people just because he feels like it.

“What would cause the Sare Blood Cult leader to be unable to hide?”

“The person who holds resources often becomes cautious. They will absolutely not act personally, so wouldn’t it be better to target those around them?”

Target those around them.

“Are you suggesting we capture the experts inducted by the Sare Blood Cult?”

“Yes.”

“Not a bad idea.”

A way to lure the Sare Blood Cult leader without me stepping to the forefront.

Without any complicated plans, with a simple strategy, it could work perfectly. And if not, I’ll just find an excuse—I could claim I slipped while walking straight.

If a one-lane road suddenly appears in your yard, you won’t be able to stay hidden.

“I’ll go back for now. Please relay the message to the Yuanjiang team beforehand.”

“Understood. I’ll send a letter ahead, so you can head to Wu Jin Kejan in Yuanjiang.”

“And do you have a book detailing the identities of the experts inducted by the Sare Blood Cult?”

“It’s right here.”

I carefully placed the pristine book in my bosom to ensure I don’t lose it.

“Travel safely.”

“Stop worrying about me and start worrying about yourselves. Let me know if anything happens. I’ll help as much as I can.”

“Thank you.”

With their emotional voices fading behind me, I left the Haaowen branch.

[…]

“Mister, I’m here.”

“Oh, sit down.”

…Her hair felt damp—had she just washed?

I briefly glanced at Hye-ryeong, who sat next to me with a slightly flushed face, before turning my head toward the scent emanating from the opposite side.

“…Isn’t this a bit too close?”

“Um…if we want to read the book, we have to be close, don’t we?”

“True, but…still…”

Isn’t it a bit too close?

And why are you avoiding my gaze?

“Mister, what’s the matter?”

Your hugging my arm like this makes it impossible for me to pick up the book.

Still using my other free hand, I skillfully opened the book. Mok-kyeong’s and Hye-ryeong’s gazes naturally turned toward the book I was holding.

“Mister, this is…”

“A register of names. And…it’s destined to become a death list.”

How do we lure out the Sare Blood Cult leader?

I’ve been pondering this ever since arriving in Yunnan.

I couldn’t find an answer until I met the branch chief, but perhaps this book will be our breakthrough.

“Death list…you mean?”

“What’s so special about this book?”

“It’s a complete register of the evil sect experts recruited by the Sare Blood Cult. It will be our death list.”

If we can’t lure out the leader, maybe destroying those recruited will make them appear.

Ultimately, a sect’s strength comes from its experts.

If we annihilate all their recruited experts and remove their core members, the leader will have no choice but to step out. Mixing in some threats wouldn’t hurt either.

Should they respond with underhanded tactics, we’ll just have to handle it cleverly—still, it’s only a half measure but there’s no lack of solutions.

So there’s no need to overly worry.

“Are you planning to execute all the experts listed in this register?”

“Exactly. Once we exterminate them all, we’ll attract the Sare Blood Cult leader’s attention.”

Whether they like it or not, a weakened leader will have to make a choice.

Either they handle us…

Or try to recruit us.

Of course, the latter is unlikely, but they might dare to make an offer. Whether it’s a trap or not remains to be seen.

“Hye-ryeong, Mok-kyeong, I’ll need both of you to step forward.”

“What about you, Mister?”

“I’ll stay out of the spotlight for now.”

I’m too noticeable, and stepping in unnecessarily might complicate things.

By now, news of my ascension to super peak-level status might have spread across the Central Plains. If I show myself clumsily, the Sare Blood Cult might raise their guard to the maximum.

That would increase the chances of the situation becoming more troublesome.

“The task of capturing the experts in this book…falls to the two of you.”

“…We’ll do our best, Mister Eun-gong.”

“Me too! But…can I really do it?”

As her voice grew softer and softer, I looked at Hye-ryeong.

“I’ll ensure you’re strong enough to win, regardless. Don’t worry.”

Once determined, raising one’s skill level can let even a top-tier expert handle more than one opponent.

This is also a good chance for Hye-ryeong to grow stronger.

The experience gained in life-and-death battles is, after all, the most valuable for a martial artist.

“I’ll do my best!”

“Great, you should get a cool nickname soon. Mok-kyeong, I’ll help as much as I can—this is the path to your revenge.”

“Of course, Mister Eun-gong.”

Mok-kyeong’s eyes were filled with determination.

This was the path to her revenge, and she was clearly burning with passion.

I slammed the book shut with a loud thud, declaring:

“Starting tomorrow.”

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