A Medieval Knight in a Martial Arts Novel – Chapter 101

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“Is he dead?”

“It seems so. He can’t be alive in this state.”

Unless he had some kind of regenerative ability, there was no way he could survive with his dantian destroyed and blood pouring from every orifice.

I looked at the lifeless Heuk Sa-tang and felt a twinge of regret.

I had hoped to learn more about the Demonic Cult.

Since the original story didn’t reveal much about them, capturing Heuk Sa-tang alive would have been a valuable source of information.

Though, as a mere lackey, he might not have known much…

“Wi, we’ve finished cleaning up.”

“Is anyone injured?”

“Thanks to you weakening them, only a few suffered minor scratches.”

Why were they looking at me with such reverence?

I avoided their gazes and picked up my bamboo hat from the ground. I had thrown it aside before the fight.

…I should just buy a new one. This one was ripped and unusable.

I placed the broken hat over Heuk Sa-tang’s face.

I didn’t want to keep looking at his gruesome appearance, and it was a small gesture of respect for the dead.

“Sigh.”

Time to get to work.

“Make sure they don’t escape or cause any more trouble. I’ll search the compound.”

“We’ll help.”

“I’ll take two observant martial artists with me. The rest of you can conduct interrogations. We need to uncover the truth behind this incident. And send someone to inform the clans that the matter has been resolved.”

“We’ve already sent someone, so they should be back soon.”

Then I had nothing to worry about.

I turned my attention to the main hall, which I had created a shortcut through.

Searching the entire compound would take all night, but the thought of finding valuable treasures and secret manuals made my mouth water.

Let’s go.

I stepped into the main hall.

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“…Thank you. Truly, thank you.”

“Not at all. I simply did what needed to be done.”

“No, it’s not ‘simply’ helping others with their problems. You’ve done a great service.”

Clan Leader Gang’s eyes were glistening with tears. Clan Leader Gu’s eyes were also red.

I chuckled awkwardly, looking at the two elderly men.

“How did the interrogations go?”

“We learned a lot. Those bastards were planning to use a divide-and-conquer strategy to weaken our clans and take over the city.”

“Audacious.”

As he said, it was a plan too ambitious for a small sect.

How could a small sect with only a hundred or so disciples even dream of controlling a city?

Even if the local government was weak, the combined forces of the two clans could easily crush them in half a day.

So, it was natural to suspect they had a backer, and seeing Heuk Sa-tang’s internal energy, I realized it was the Demonic Cult.

…Though I didn’t understand why the Demonic Cult would be involved in something like this.

They must have burned all relevant documents in the compound, as I found nothing.

Based on the available information, I assumed they were planning to establish a hidden base in this city, close to the Martial Alliance, and launch a surprise attack during the war.

Surprise attacks were always effective. And if the righteous factions launched an expedition, this city was conveniently located along the main road.

If a war broke out, the Martial Alliance forces would likely pass through this city, and a surprise attack at that point would inflict devastating damage.

Being attacked in what they considered their territory would cause chaos.

Martial artists were generally weak against coordinated attacks.

In that sense, this incident was a blessing in disguise.

I had eliminated a hidden threat.

At least the Martial Alliance wouldn’t suffer repeated defeats like in the original story, leaving everything to the protagonist.

…Though the biggest problem was the original story’s abrupt ending.

The latter half was filled with plot conveniences and inconsistent settings. But this was reality, so that wouldn’t happen…right?

It would be absurd if a character’s name changed after being absent for dozens of chapters.

Anyway,

“I searched the entire Black Shadow Sect compound, but I couldn’t find any traces of the Demonic Cult. They must have erased all evidence. I thought I’d find something after a midnight raid…”

They were thorough.

That explained how they almost took over the Murim in the original story.

“Hmm, that’s unfortunate.”

“All I found was the money they extorted from the citizens, various weapons, and what appears to be the Black Shadow Sect’s secret manual.”

“Appears to be?”

“What do you mean?”

I pulled the manual from my pocket.

“I haven’t read it, just in case it contains demonic arts. It wouldn’t be good for me to read it. Could you deliver this to the Martial Alliance?”

…I had actually skimmed through it, but it wasn’t very informative.

“Very well.”

“I’ll send a trustworthy martial artist to deliver it.”

“That concludes this matter…but I believe the Black Shadow Sect’s assets should be returned to the citizens. It’s not right to covet ill-gotten gains, and what was stolen should be returned to its rightful owners.”

“You’re truly remarkable! So selfless!”

“If only I had a daughter…”

The Clan Leaders’ admiring gazes were…intense.

If this were a game, their affection levels would be maxed out.

“I’ll leave this matter to you.”

“I’ll handle it fairly, I swear on my name.”

“I swear on my name as well.”

It was good that things were progressing smoothly.

This was the benefit of having a reputation.

The words of a nameless soldier carried far less weight than those of someone renowned.

“Perhaps the two clans should reconcile while you’re at it.”

“Reconcile…”

The two Clan Leaders exchanged glances and coughed awkwardly. It wasn’t easy for long-time rivals to reconcile. But as long as they remained at odds, others would exploit their conflict.

It would be better to settle their differences and unite.

“…Clan Leader Gang, let’s do this.”

“Hmm, Clan Leader Gu, I never thought we’d reconcile like this.”

That was settled.

Now I just had to receive my reward and leave this city.

“Regarding the reward…”

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“Mister, are you sure you should accept so little?”

“Hye-ryeong, do these gold bars look like a child’s toy to you?”

There were ten gold bars.

While it was a pittance compared to what the Clan Leaders had offered, what was the point of carrying around a large sum of money?

While I wasn’t exactly virtuous, I knew that excessive wealth was meaningless.

“But compared to what you’ve done…”

“I also received three elixirs.”

“But you gave one to me!”

“And one to me as well. There was no need…”

Hye-ryeong and Mokgyeong looked at me hesitantly.

I didn’t understand their concern.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll be at ease once you two are stronger.”

There was no point in me being strong alone.

War wasn’t fought alone.

I needed allies by my side.

People to fight alongside me, not people I had to protect.

“But…”

“Hye-ryeong, don’t overthink it and just take it.”

Hye-ryeong reluctantly nodded.

“Mokgyeong, don’t feel pressured. You need to be strong for your revenge. You’ll need to consume at least ten elixirs like these to break through to the transcendent expert level.”

At the mention of revenge, Mokgyeong also reluctantly agreed.

“So, we’re done with this conversation? Don’t suddenly change your minds.”

I turned away from the two as they nodded and watched the funeral procession.

The sons of the Gang Clan and the Gu Clan.

It was a strange sight, seeing so many people in mourning attire walking together.

Like a scene from a movie or a drama.

“…I’m glad things worked out.”

The Black Shadow Sect had been destroyed, its disciples sent to the Martial Alliance for interrogation.

Heuk Sa-tang’s dismembered body was displayed in the marketplace.

The runaway physician was found dead in a well behind his clinic, likely murdered to silence him.

Myeong-hui, realizing things had gone wrong, tried to escape but was captured by Mokgyeong…

Everything was neatly resolved.

I watched the funeral procession and offered the customary words.

“May they rest in peace.”

While our first encounter hadn’t been pleasant, there was no need to speak ill of the dead.

I watched the procession disappear from sight, lost in thought.

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