A Medieval Knight in a Martial Arts Novel – Chapter 39

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Shrine
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A big city really was different, after all.

That was William’s first impression upon entering Changsha. Hye-ryeong, who was also visiting Changsha for the first time, was noticeably looking around with sparkling eyes.

It felt like watching someone who had just arrived in a big city from a rural village.

Ah, that’s right.

Haenam Island was on the frontier of the Central Plains. In the past, it had even been treated as an island for barbarians …

If it weren’t for the Orthodox-Demonic War, it would probably still be treated that way.

“Uncle! Look over there! That building is so tall!” Hye-ryeong exclaimed.

“It’s probably some kind of tavern,” William replied.

In martial arts novels, tall buildings were usually taverns.

Taverns in martial arts novels were the kind of place where trouble always seemed to find the protagonist.

Of course, trouble tended to find the protagonists no matter where they went, even in outhouses, so such thoughts didn’t really matter. Besides, they weren’t planning to visit any taverns anyway.

William didn’t particularly enjoy drinking, and it wouldn’t be appropriate with Hye-ryeong present.

“That’s the Moonlit Harbor Pavilion. It’s a well-known tavern even in Changsha,” Elder Baek commented.

The fact that he knew its name right away suggested that he had been there before.

Elder Baek gave them a brief explanation about the Moonlit Harbor Pavilion, then said they would go directly to an inn he knew, leading them down the main street.

“Uncle, don’t you feel like people are staring at us? It feels like everyone is looking our way,” Hye-ryeong said.

“If it bothers you, move more to the inside of our group so we can block their view of you,” William replied.

It was inevitable that people would glance their way, given how eye-catching Hye-ryeong was. Not only was her face beautiful, but her chest was also quite… noticeable.

William wondered how many people had seen a figure like hers before. He certainly hadn’t seen anyone else like her.

“I don’t think they’re looking at me, Uncle. I think they’re looking at you,” Hye-ryeong said.

“Me?” William asked.

“Yes.”

“Sir William, I think she’s right,” Hajin added.

However, William was wearing a bamboo hat specifically to avoid drawing attention as a Westerner.

At Hye-ryeong’s words, William started paying attention to what the people around them were saying.

“I heard that, that Westerner in the bamboo hat traveling with the Haenam Sword Sect martial artists is the Blue-Eyed Lion who recently made a name for himself in Wuchang…”

“You are talking about a Westerner? Why would a Westerner come this far inland?”

Their voices were mixed with curiosity and surprise. William, who had been busy taking in the sights of the city, only then noticed the people around whispering about him.

He realized he should have been paying more attention to his surroundings.

“I heard he grabbed a demon cultist with his huge hands and slammed him down like he was nothing.”

“People who saw it said they thought an earthquake had happened.”

“That’s not all. They say the roar released from his throat sounded just like a real lion, enough to make you soil yourself just hearing it.”

“Impressive.”

Come on, I can hear all of that gossip.

While William’s hearing was good, it gave him a headache to hear people using him as a topic for idle gossip.

Was this the burden of being a renowned martial artist with an alias?

William sighed at this seemingly pointless predicament.

He hadn’t particularly wanted to attract attention.

While from the perspective of people in the Central Plains, getting an alias was something to be proud of, William hadn’t intended to stand out that much so he can’t say what he was feeling was pride exactly.

In martial arts novels, standing out usually meant getting involved in more troublesome events. While he didn’t need to completely hide his abilities, it was better to maintain a relatively low profile to avoid unnecessary entanglements.

William couldn’t fathom what the entity that had transmigrated him here wanted to achieve, but he preferred to just watch events unfold from the sidelines if possible.

“Uncle, we’ve arrived at the inn!” Hye-ryeong called out.

William must have been lost in thought. At Hye-ryeong’s cry, he came to his senses and tilted his bamboo hat up to look at the signboard.

“Hanseung Inn?”

It sounded like a place that would be good at archery.

William lowered his bamboo hat again as the group entered the inn ahead of him. Following behind them, he saw that the inn was incomparably larger than the one they had stayed at in Wuchang County.

This place was almost the size of a sports field from his previous world.

Given its prime location, the prices were likely quite steep. William wondered if Elder Baek was perhaps being a bit too extravagant.

William followed behind the others and sat down at an empty table.

As he took off his bamboo hat and set it aside, he immediately felt the gazes of the other patrons turn towards him.

“Is that Westerner the one…”

“Just like we heard…”

William could sense that he had suddenly become the main topic of conversation in the inn. He deliberately acted nonchalant and made small talk with his companions.

There was no reason for him to pay attention to every little thing around him, and as long as he was with the Haenam Sword Sect, hardly anyone would dare to bother him. Even if the Haenam Sword Sect wasn’t the most powerful, it was still one of the Nine Great Sects – who would dare to disrespect them?

“Uncle, you’ve become famous,” Hye-ryeong said.

“You’re being talked about quite a bit yourself,” William replied.

At his words, Hye-ryeong made a face and complained:

“Ugh, I hate that. They’re not even talking about my martial arts skills, just repeating over and over how pretty I am. A martial artist should be known for their skills, not their face. It’s embarrassing to be known just for looks.”

Aren’t most women proud of their beauty too?

“Haha, Hye-ryeong. Once you show your skills in the martial arts tournament later, people will naturally give you an alias based on your martial arts,” Elder Baek said.

“That’s right. With your talent, Hye-ryeong, you’ll surely make a name for yourself with your swordsmanship,” Hajin added.

As they sat around the circular table making such small talk to pass the time, a waiter approached and set down teacups and a teapot in front of them, then spoke to Elder Baek.

“Two rooms for two nights, and meals as well,” Elder Baek ordered.

“Yes, sir.”

Elder Baek ordered their rooms and meals as usual, then took a sip of the tea that had been placed on the table.

“Hmm, the tea is good.”

“It seems they use high-quality tea, befitting a good inn,” Hajin commented.

“I prefer alcohol to tea…” Hagyeong began.

“Hagyeong,” Elder Baek warned.

“Ah, yes. I’m sorry,” Hagyeong quickly apologized.

“…”

To be honest, William couldn’t really tell if this was good tea or not.

Before his transmigration, most of the tea he drank came in plastic bottles, and the hottest drink he usually had was Americano coffee.

Compared to coffee, tea inevitably tasted quite bland to him, so if asked if it was delicious, he would have to shake his head.

Still, being socially aware, he took a sip and offered a generic comment:

“The tea tastes good.”

“The tea leaves must be of high quality,” Hye-ryeong said.

Hye-ryeong smiled brightly as she continuously sipped her tea. She seemed to like it.

After this brief moment of leisure, the waiter approached again and began setting out an array of delicacies in front of them.

From familiar dishes like braised fish and Dongpo pork to dishes William couldn’t name, the table was soon filled with food. As Elder Baek picked up his chopsticks, he said:

“Well then, let’s eat.”

“Yes,” the others responded.

Following Elder Baek’s lead, they began to eat. Befitting an inn known even in Changsha, when William bit into the meat, the combination of the savory juices and the sweet and sour sauce was exquisite, causing him to eat enthusiastically.

After eating for a while, William stopped and put down his chopsticks.

It wasn’t because he was full, but because he sensed someone approaching him.

“Elder Baek! It’s been a long time! Have you been well?”

“If it isn’t Young Master Eon, I didn’t expect to meet you in a place like this.”

“Haha! I didn’t think our paths would cross like this either. But how fortunate I am! To be able to run into you on my way to see Dongting Lake after touring Poyang Lake! Hahaha!”

What an obnoxiously loud voice.

It was hard to tell if he was speaking or shouting, but it was clear he wasn’t an ordinary person. Of course, if he was someone Elder Baek knew, he was likely a martial artist anyway.

“…It’s been a while, Young Master Eon,” Hajin said, his voice sounding somewhat reluctant.

“Haha, there’s no need for such formalities between us! Please, call me Fellow Eon!”

When Hajin greeted him with a cupped-hand salute and a strained voice, the man who called himself Fellow Eon laughed boisterously in response.

Was this guy in the original work? William wondered.

All the names in martial arts novels tended to sound similar to each other, so it was confusing.

They all had names like the Nine Great Sects, and the Demon Cult, and while the evil sects’ names varied somewhat between works, the River Dragon Bandits or the Green Forest Alliance almost always appeared…

Because of this, it was often difficult to tell if a new character was from the original work or not.

Just looking at Namgung Soso’s name, William had seen over ten different versions of that name.

“Fellow Eon, is your father in good health?” Elder Baek asked.

“He’s as robust as ever. These days, he’s gone into secluded cultivation to break through to a new realm. He’s probably achieved great success by now.”

“I pray he reaches the Grand Realm.”

“Thank you. But who is this…”

William felt the man’s gaze boring into the back of his head.

It seemed he had approached them with William as his target from the beginning, he was trying to probe discreetly.

But why target me? William thought.

Why is this strange man looking at me so intently?

As William was mentally running through 108 possible reasons why this man might be targeting him, Elder Baek spoke up:

“This is Sir William. He’s a guest and a benefactor of the Haenam Sword Sect.”

“Oh, so he’s such a distinguished person! I am Eon Cheolsan, the second son of the Eon family from Zhenzhou. Among the martial artists of the Central Plains, I’m also known as the Iron Wind Fist.”

“William or you can also call me William Marshal.”

“He’s being called the Blue-Eyed Lion these days!” Hye-ryeong chimed in.

Hye-ryeong, that’s a bit… William thought.

“Oh, the Blue-Eyed Lion, I’ve heard of you. I heard you’re a martial artist who uses Western martial arts and exudes an aura like that of a lion.”

So I’ve become known as a fist fighter, William realized.

Well, it made sense since the events that happened on Haenam Island probably weren’t widely known.

William nodded, and Eon Cheolsan’s eyes lit up as he said:

“Sir William. Since we’ve met like this, how about a friendly match?”

…I’ve stepped in it this time.

Realizing he wouldn’t be able to quietly avoid this situation, William let out a sigh.

Translator’s Note:
Hello everyone,
Who else thinks this isn’t the last time someone challenges William before they arrive?
Hye-ryeong’s boasting will surely cause William more trouble later.
Do you think she will have a chance to get an alias she likes?

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