A Medieval Knight in a Martial Arts Novel

…Hanhyeolma.

I was surprised by the unexpected encounter and looked at Hanhyeolma.

The old horse (Nomad) seemed to feel my gaze and looked at me.

Old though it was, its eyes were still bright.

It looked at me as if to say, “I’m not dead yet,” as if it could still gallop across the plains at any moment.

Perhaps the reason this horse didn’t run wild was because it took pride in its place.

This was my guess, having lived with horses during my time as a knight.

“Hmm…”

“Mister, are you here to buy a horse?”

“Maybe.”

Though I had impulsively stepped forward, I still hadn’t decided whether or not to buy this horse.

It was questionable how far this over ten-year-old old horse could run, and above all, there was a definite chance that someone would buy Hanhyeolma as a stud horse for an expensive price.

Depending on the price competition, there might be a chance to consider purchasing.

And… if I were to buy it, I’d also need to buy horses for the others, but the other horses didn’t seem to be of good breed.

Was it because all decent horses had been conscripted?

Hanhyeolma, being over ten years old, had likely escaped conscription either because the old man had carefully hidden it until now or for some other reason.

Nothing other than a Hanhyeolma…

This breed is estimated to be the kind ridden by famous warriors from the *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*.

Even the famous Chi Hongma is rumored to be a Hanhyeolma, so its status in the Central Plains is such that it could be called the emperor among horses.

Thus, I couldn’t guarantee that price competition wouldn’t happen even for an old horse.

“Hye-ryeong, can you ride a horse?”

“Eh… I’ve never ridden one!”

“Miss Mok-kyeong, what about you?”

“…I rode once when I was a child, but that was so long ago…”

She can’t ride it either.

If I bought a horse, I’d have to buy them horses as well, and I’d need to teach them how to ride.

Although it wouldn’t be difficult to teach basic horse-riding skills, which were used by cavalry soldiers, Mok-kyeong might not be in the best physical condition to ride extensively.

Even if she rode, I would have to carry her on mine.

“I want to watch and see what happens.”

Even though it’s ten years old, it could still be used as a stud horse, so there should be buyers.

There’s no need to rush forward, as doing so would only draw attention.

It would be more advantageous to participate quietly when people aren’t giving it too much attention.

I placed Hye-ryeong back down and quietly began observing the situation.

“It’s really hard to find a decent horse these days, isn’t it? Most of the horses available in the Central Plains can’t even run properly!

Even though this horse is ten years old, it’s a Hanhyeolma. That’s not a bad deal, don’t you think? This fellow should live for at least ten more years, and during that time, a good horse might not show up. And if this horse breeds, that would make things even better!”

As soon as the owner, assumed to be an old man, began marketing it loudly, a wealthy-looking old man stepped forward to inspect the horses.

But Hanhyeolma didn’t seem to care whether or not they were looking at it, and simply lowered its head to the hay in front of it.

It meant it had no interest in those who were showing up now. But despite that, its owner would definitely try to sell it.

Should I step in now?

Or should I just observe the situation?

After pondering, I crossed my arms and stood still.

I had chosen the latter course of action.

“Heh, what a majestic horse. How much?”

“Even though it’s a Hanhyeolma, it’s not a cheap price…about this.”

“Hmph, it’s expensive.”

When the rich old man in expensive clothes who had come to buy the old Hanhyeolma stepped back hesitating, a middle-aged man nearby stepped forward as if it was his turn now.

“I’ll buy it, no matter the cost!”

“As long as the price is fair, that works for me. However, there is one problem.”

“Besides being old, what other problem could there be?”

“This thing may look like a famous horse, but it’s picky about its riders.”

“Ah!”

This horse just flicked its nose back at the man who insulted it in front of its face and let out a characteristic whinny before diving its head back into the hay.

“You see, this one’s temper is quite wild. An inexperienced rider could get hurt, so caution is needed. It’s more suitable for breeding.”

“If this thing can’t be ridden, what difference is there between a Hanhyeolma and a donkey?”

“Hehe, still, its value as a stud…”

“Whinny!”

“Ahh, you little beast, stop moving around!”

I took back my bamboo hat from Hye-ryeong, put it on my head, and stepped forward.

“Renowned horses that once galloped across the plains have high self-respect.”

“Colored-Eyed Person?”

“Could that person be…?”

“Lion Sword Hero!”

Now there’s no one who doesn’t recognize me.

Is this how famous celebrities feel?

“Today is truly a special day. It’s been a long time since I last saw a Colored-Eyed Person.”

“Is that so?”

“This horse was bought from a Colored-Eyed Person. It was ten years ago…”

“Can I examine it closely?”

“By all means.”

I walked forward, receiving everyone’s attention, as I had to get closer to inspect the horse.

Upon close inspection, this is a fine horse indeed.

However, it was hard to say it had been fully tamed.

If it had been raised as a military horse from a young age, it might be different, but this Hanhyeolma radiated a strong sense of wildness.

In short, it’s too spirited to let an amateur ride it.

“The reason this has stayed in the stable for so long is because of its savage temper, yes?”

“That’s right. Still, isn’t it better for the horse to find a good owner and to let its legs stretch a little?”

There was sincerity in the old man’s words.

Horses are horses, so it’s unsafe to let it graze freely, and yet it’s too spirited to ride.

Judging by his appearance, the old man didn’t have much longer to live, so it makes sense he wanted to find a good owner for this horse before he passed.

Even so, it was hard to find buyers for a horse over ten years old.

“Be careful. Its temper is not an ordinary one.”

I ignored the old man’s warning and stood in front of the horse. Upon seeing me, Hanhyeolma lifted its head, and its fiery eyes met mine.

Hmm, are you trying to challenge me to a staring contest?

With the mindset of seeing who would win, I started a staring contest with Hanhyeolma.

How much time passed, I wonder.

Hanhyeolma pushed its nose into me as if acknowledging me.

Does this mean you’re satisfied?

When I gently placed my hand on its face, it didn’t resist.

“You seem very skilled at handling horses.”

“I was once a cavalry soldier.”

“A cavalry soldier. It’s understandable that this stubborn horse would accept you so easily.”

A knight’s primary skills are in horsemanship.

Although there exist larger horses in the West than a Hanhyeolma, the knights who must handle them find this level of spirit not particularly difficult.

“It should be manageable to ride this one.”

A horse of this size would make it relatively effortless to use specialized techniques or meditation methods for warhorses.

“How much for this one?”

“…Three hundred silver coins, but I’ll give it to you for two hundred and fifty.”

The price whispered by the old man so only I could hear.

Two hundred and fifty silver coins… it’s expensive, but it’s a decent price.

If this horse were five years younger, it could easily fetch twice or three times that amount.

“Three hundred…”

“That’s after negotiation already.”

“Indeed.”

Considering Hanhyeolma’s rarity here.

“Did this horse undergo any training?”

“It did when it was young. The trouble is, it’s lost all of it. I can ride it, but almost no one else can.”

Essentially, it’s almost like a wild horse.

“I don’t have the silver right now, but I’ll come back from the battlefield to settle the deal.”

“But shouldn’t others be given a chance?”

Someone from behind tried to intervene in the deal. Then there was a crisp sound of a slap and a rebuking voice.

“You there, show some tact…”

“I’m fine with it.”

“I am, too.”

Ah, fame helps in moments like this.

They don’t want to make enemies unnecessarily when competing with someone famous.

Challenging an ultra-high-level warrior is akin to dousing yourself in oil and jumping into a fire, after all.

Indeed, high-level martial artists in the wulin are not to be underestimated.

As everyone who had stepped forward to buy decided to back down, the old man chuckled and looked at me.

“You’re quite a renowned individual, aren’t you?”

“Travelling across Jianghu, one’s reputation is bound to grow.”

“And… is there another decent horse? We’re a group of three. It doesn’t have to be a particularly strong one. It’s for a woman.”

“I can certainly include another horse.”

“Thank you.”

“Whinny!”

It seems the horse is pleased that I’ll be its master, as it neighed joyfully.

“Please prepare enough hay to last the stable until I return shortly.”

“I’ll make sure that’s arranged. Come back quickly—I’m getting a sore back waiting too long.”

I immediately turned around and easily slipped through the parted crowd.

—

And there we go.

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