A Medieval Knight in a Martial Arts Novel – Chapter 53

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Shrine
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“Thief!”

“It seems now is the time.”

“Ugh… what on earth is going on?”

For a thief, he’s making quite a flashy entrance.

We got up as we heard what sounded like something breaking. As expected, this senior apprentice-brother character had snuck into Master Zhang’s room rather than the warehouse.

…Though I wasn’t sure if whoever broke in was really the senior apprentice brother that Master Zhang told us about.

“Well then, let’s go.”

“Alright.”

We immediately opened the door and went outside. There was already a commotion outside.

This was natural, as everyone would know that a thief had broken in. We walked towards Master Zhang’s room at a pace that was neither too fast nor too slow.

“Hey. Is it alright to walk like this? Shouldn’t we move faster…”

“Master Zhang would have done something to ensure the safety of the secret manual anyway.”

Just looking at how he sprinkled the tracking fragrance on the fake manual before, it was clear he had an unusual attachment to his possessions. So he would surely try his best to protect the secret manual.

It wouldn’t be strange if a physical altercation broke out in the process.

“Ugh…”

Constable Meng followed behind me, letting out a groan. I quickly scanned the guards who were standing around Master Zhang’s room, looking hesitant.

Judging by their hesitation, they didn’t seem to be particularly loyal.

Well, there was no need to pay attention to these guys.

Not now.

I strode straight inside.

No one stopped me.

There was no need for something like knocking, so, I could just open the door right away.

I flung the door open without hesitation.

“…As expected.”

I looked at the black-clad figure confronting Master Zhang.

The black-clad figure was exuding killing intent.

Was the secret manual, not his original goal?

“I feel a bit sorry for interrupting, but are you Master Zhang’s senior apprentice-brother?”

“…Don’t interfere.”

A fierce gaze pierced through me. It was clear at a glance that his state wasn’t normal. The ground where the black-clad figure stood was stained with blood.

Had some kind of trap been set up in the room? I quickly scanned the room before turning my attention back to the two of them. Master Zhang was clutching his left arm. And the black-clad figure was covered in blood.

“So, which one of you is the senior apprentice-brother?”

“Of course it’s that guy…!”

“Senior! Do you intend to keep lying until the end?”

“A lie that no one discovers will become the truth.”

What an unpleasant thing to say. I glared at Master Zhang who had uttered those irritating words, then looked back at the black-clad figure. His killing intent had intensified slightly.

“You dare say that after stabbing our master in the back and setting him on fire?”

His voice was thick with resentment and hatred.

It was surprising he hadn’t killed Master Zhang already.

Well, it’s probably not that he didn’t want to, but that he couldn’t…

“Hey, quickly take care of this guy…”

“Let’s hear the rest of his story first.”

“What… did you say?”

I sensed killing intent behind me. Is it being emitted from the guards, perhaps? However, unlike before… I now had my sword. I touched the handle of my sword and spoke.

“I’m curious about the whole story. I wonder whose words are true?”

“Is that important? Of course, my words are…!”

“…Senior had no talent for martial arts. Yet he wanted to learn the Shadowless Divine Thief techniques. Master tried to stop him, worried he might get hurt, but Senior, blinded by greed, killed Master and stole the secret manual.

However, Master had prepared for such a situation by dividing the secret manual into two volumes.”

I suppose you could say the Shadowless Divine Thief was thorough in this aspect, as befitting of a thief such as him.

Anyway,

The picture was becoming clearer.

It was common for those without talent to envy those with talent.

If what this person said earlier was true, it meant that Master Zhang had stabbed his master in the back, set him on fire, and fled. But why is he only saying this now?

“Why did you come for revenge only after several decades?”

“By the time I barely survived the burning house and recovered, several years had passed. As a result, it wasn’t easy to find traces of my senior who had already disappeared.”

His words made quite a lot of sense.

In the 21st century, even if someone went into hiding, they could be found using various methods like CCTV or by a forensic investigation. But this was the medieval era. After just a year, traces would be difficult to find.

Unless the person was committing flashy acts, if they deliberately changed their identity and lived quietly, it would be nearly impossible to find any traces.

If the target one was looking for was a disciple of the Shadowless Divine Thief whose face wasn’t even well-known, even making inquiries would have been impossible.

Even if he wanted to mobilize the Beggar Sect, considering that he couldn’t avoid mentioning the Shadowless Divine Thief, even that option wouldn’t have been easy to choose.

And without special means of communication, he couldn’t even call for them, making it difficult to even make contact.

“How did you find him?”

“While wandering around the Central Plains looking for news of my damned senior, I heard talk about the Shadowless Divine Thief’s secret manual. When I heard that, I wanted to confirm whether it was Senior who had the secret manual.”

“So that’s why you stole it. To see if Master Zhang was really your senior.”

“That’s right. So don’t interfere in our business.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

“That’s right! Quickly, this guy…!”

“Let’s just clarify one thing first. Why didn’t you let the guards in?”

It was a question to which the answer was already half-revealed, but I deliberately asked it anyway. Master Zhang glared at me as if I was asking something obvious and said:

“O-of course, any facts exposed here couldn’t be revealed…”

“You are insisting on covering things up even at this point? After several decades have already passed, is there a problem with revealing that you were a disciple of the Shadowless Divine Thief?”

I guess there must be a lot of sensitive items in his possession among the other stolen goods?

Something like secret manuals stolen from the Six Major Sects. Martial artists were the most vindictive people in the world, so if it was revealed that he had their secret manuals, they would surely come running to start a bloodbath.

If it was an orthodox sect, they might politely ask for their secret manual back, but if it was an evil sect or demon cult…

Well, he’d just be torn apart alive.

“I understand, so please spare me!”

“Don’t… interfere…”

If left alone, they would both end up fatally wounded.

“Hey…”

“Constable Meng. Let’s be quiet.”

If Constable Meng was going to do something, He should do it properly. Why try to say something like that while just looking hesitant? I shut Constable Meng’s mouth and took three steps forward.

I was now at a distance where I could barely reach both of them if I swung my sword. I placed my hand on the pommel and spoke.

“Master Zhang, did you sell the treasures stolen by the Shadowless Divine Thief to establish your merchant group?”

“Y-yes, that’s right.”

“Then let’s make a deal. If I save you-”

Whoa, whoa.

Why interrupt when someone is speaking? I blocked the black-clad figure’s blade that was about to strike Master Zhang’s neck with my sword.

There was quite a bit of force behind the sword, but his skill wasn’t enough for him to be considered a master swordsman. It seemed his level wasn’t particularly high.

“Don’t stop me!”

“Our conversation isn’t over yet, so let me finish what I wanted to say. I’m not just making an offer to Master Zhang.”

“What?”

“What did you say?”

Both of them looked at me with surprised eyes.

“Hey, what do you mean by that…”

“Isn’t he trying to kill us to cover everything up? Even if we forgive him for trying to kill us and spare his life, we’ll squeeze him for all he’s worth.”

Negotiations are most effective when done at the most critical moment.

Master Zhang’s face turned pale at my declaration.

Ignoring this, I opened my mouth.

“The Guards outside, listen! Master Zhang is actually…”

“Wait!”

Master Zhang’s urgent voice cut off my words.

This must be his sore spot.

What he was trying to tell the guards might seem to be an unfounded rumor without evidence, but the moment such a rumor spreads, someone is bound to take an interest.

If he’s not careful, his past actions might be exposed, and he could end up with his neck in the hands of those in high positions.

After all, there are no absolute secrets in this world.

“…This is ridiculous.”

Constable Meng muttered beside me in a voice that seemed dumbfounded. The black-clad figure’s eyes looking at me had a similar expression. By the way, I wonder how long that person can hold out in that state.

I need to finish the negotiation before one side completely dies.

“If you want revenge too, let’s make a deal.”

Does Master Zhang really need to stay alive?

“…You want to make a deal with me?”

“I just said so, didn’t I?”

“…Why on earth?”

“I’m in a position where I can just receive some compensation and leave. I have no reason to get involved in your affairs.”

“My entire fortune, I’ll give you half of it!”

Seeing his desperate reaction, can I assume he was no longer confident he has the ability to protect himself? Having gained one more piece of information from Master Zhang’s response, I grinned and said:

“The Shadowless Divine Thief’s Secret Manual. If you hand it over to me, I’ll turn a blind eye.”

“…!”

Even if things are resolved well, there’s no guarantee that this person won’t target me, so I might as well take advantage of the current situation. I slowly activated my aura from my mana core while waiting for an answer.

The black-clad figure responded to my demand without hesitation, as if there was no need for further discussion.

“…I probably won’t be able to live much longer in good health anyway, so it doesn’t matter now. There’s an attic in the roof of the inn where you stayed. Look at the bottom drawer of the dresser there, and turn it over.”

I withdrew my sword.

“Wait, if I die, you all will also…!”

“Constable Meng. Unfortunately, Master Zhang has passed away due to an attack by an unknown assailant.”

“Hey, aren’t you being too reckless…?”

For someone with such a huge build, why is he so faint-hearted?

I snapped at Constable Meng, who was looking at me with a pale face.

“He should blame himself for not letting the guards in because he didn’t want his secrets exposed. Besides, Master Zhang’s death will be more helpful to us in this situation. No one will target us later”

He should have at least made a family for himself or something before.

“You damn…urgh!”

The smell of blood wafted through the air. I heard the sound of someone collapsing with a gurgling noise and turned to look at the black-clad figure.

He had fallen to the floor and was breathing heavily.

He might die soon in this situation.

I approached the fallen black-clad figure.

“Did you plant the tracking fragrance on my body?”

“…I guess some of the tracking fragrance I scattered to cause confusion must have gotten on you too… I’m sorry if I caused you trouble…”

“It’s fine.”

I already confirmed the location of the secret manual in Master Zhang’s possession while I was sprinkling the powder in the warehouse, so I just need to take the other half after taking the one here.

I had to make sure the guards corroborated our story. Since I’ve already done the deed, it’s easiest if we all agree on the story to tell and go our separate ways.

“Since it’s come to this… use it well.”

“Isn’t it a precious secret manual?”

“What use… is it when I’m dead? It’s better for someone to use it than letting it be forgotten…”

I suppose so.

I looked at him with his head hanging low, then turned to look at Constable Meng.

“Constable Meng. You understand, right?”

“W-what do you mean?”

“If you don’t want to get into trouble, you should stick to the story.”

I put the secret manual I just retrieved in my chest and looked at Constable Meng. He looked at me with a disgruntled face and said:

“You’re a scary person…”

“We need to coordinate our story with the guards too, so let’s go out.”

William’s harvest from this unexpected situation was not bad.

He left the room, pondering what to do with the Shadowless Divine Thief’s secret manual.

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I am exited that William will finally get to learn such a skill. I was getting tired of him needing to compensate for his lack of such skills in various ways every time he faces a new opponwnt.