A Medieval Knight in a Martial Arts Novel

“There are few border guards.”

“Perhaps the forces have been deployed to the east or west.”

While muttering with only his head above water, Geumcheon Gang fiddled with the Wallbreaker Bomb carefully sealed inside the box.

‘I hope I won’t need to use this until the task is done.’

Every one of these is priceless. As he hoped for a simple resolution, he gathered his inner power into his fingertips.

‘It’s time to move.’

Underwater, he flicked his fingers. Normally, it would have only created a few bubbles, but with the inner power behind it, a thin ripple passed over the waves, reaching the members of the Black Night Team behind him.

‘We need to split into two groups.’

Recalling the Art of War he had learned long ago, Geumcheon Gang sent out the signal three times.

The directive to split into two teams and infiltrate accordingly was clear. Centered around Samho and the Black Night Team leader, Geumcheon Gang, the Black Night Team members began splitting into two.

‘It’s quiet.’

A natural question formed in his mind. The distance to land was now less than a full li, just a little further swimming and they’d reach the pier, yet there was no sign of reaction.

‘Have they concentrated their forces to the west and east?’

Geumcheon Gang’s movements slowed.

Because of hesitation.

There was the unsettling worry that this might be a trap set by the enemy. But he quickly shook his head and gathered his resolve.

There’s no turning back once started.

Either kill or be killed.

Those are the only two options.

Weapons must be drawn, come what may.

Geumcheon Gang took a moment to catch his breath in front of the stockade. Subsequently, the Black Night Team members quietly approached the stockade one by one, hushing their breaths. The situation was the same on the other side.

Geumcheon Gang glanced at Samho, his loyal subordinate. Samho was waiting for his order.

Finally, Geumcheon Gang gave a slight nod. Though the distance was quite far, Samho instantly caught the signal and slowly began gathering his power from his dantian.

One.

Two.

Three.

Like one body, they both sprang out of the water simultaneously and leaped over the stockade. Soon after, hundreds of black-clad figures followed them silently, landing beyond the stockade.

“…It’s quiet.”

The southern port was eerily silent, as if even rats had died.

It appeared as though they had noticed the Black Night Team’s arrival beforehand and had all hidden. Geumcheon Gang closed his eyes briefly and, upon opening them, spoke.

“Approach Haean Sword Sect stealthily while remaining vigilant.”

The Black Night Team began to tread quietly like cats weaving through alleys at midnight.

One cautious step, keeping watch around.

A step, pondering the alarming lack of any sound or movement.

One step, with nerves heightened.

“Master, the place is completely empty.”

“It seems everyone has evacuated.”

‘All the villagers must have fled. Then…’

Geumcheon Gang fiddled with the box tucked in his chest.

Two, excluding the one handed over to Shil-Yuk.

Timely use could wipe out the enemy in one go. But he knew it wouldn’t be that easy.

‘The Haean Sword Sect might have figured out the existence of the Wallbreaker Bombs, given their use in the north.’

Perhaps they wouldn’t know, but that was wishful thinking at best.

As he confirmed his subordinates were following, Geumcheon Gang moved around the outskirts of the village toward the Haean Sword Sect. Normally, one would enter through the straight road connecting the village, but for an infiltration team like the Black Night Team, that option was out of the question.

Even for their first actual combat, Geumcheon Gang had the sense to think this clearly.

‘They’re gathering at the Haean Sword Sect.’

Taking the contents from the box, he carefully placed them in his bosom and gently set the box on the ground.

“To walk right into the tiger’s jaws—what a grim prospect.”

“Master Geum. However, this is a task for the great cause.”

“I understand. So… we must stake our lives.”

Is this what it feels like to enter a dragon’s lair or a tiger’s den? Geumcheon Gang gave a bitter laugh to the unfamiliar sensation. Perhaps this would be his final bitter smile, as he straightened his bent knees.

“Everyone, advance as quickly as possible. If anyone interferes… eliminate them all.”

Instead of a verbal response, the black-clad figures nodded.

‘I’ll take the lead.’

If things go awry, he would throw the Wallbreaker Bomb into the mass of enemies.

Geumcheon Gang gathered his internal energy at the tips of his feet and muttered under his breath.

“May Lord Cheonma be with us.”

A phrase he had heard all his life.

The moment had come to truly wish for it.

The gathered internal energy burst out, and Geumcheon Gang shot forward like an arrow.

Following his lead, the black-clad figures began their charge toward the Haean Sword Sect.

What greeted them…

“Arrows! Everyone, deploy your sword barriers!”

Upon his command, the black-clad figures drew their swords and erected barriers. The sight of hundreds of warriors erecting sword barriers was magnificent. And the hundreds of arrows flying toward them painted an equally breathtaking picture.

If there had been an artist present, this scene would have become unforgettable art.

If only they could survive to tell about it.

The dark night sky was filled with the sound of arrows bouncing off swords.

“Ugh…”

“This… this is outrageous!”

“Shit…”

A black-clad figure who had failed to properly deploy the sword barrier due to insufficient swordsmanship rolled on the ground after being hit by arrows. Fellow members who had managed to erect barriers glanced sideways at the fallen with grim determination etched into their eyes.

‘There’s no time to save them.’

After all, turning their backs would turn anyone into a living hedgehog. The remaining black-clad figures, leaving behind the growing number of stragglers, charged toward their adversaries who were positioned further up along the path to Haean Sword Sect.

“Kill them all!”

“Fall back!”

But who said they could just fight as they pleased? As the Haean Sword Sect warriors retreated swiftly, the charging black-clad figures could only glare uselessly like dogs chasing chickens that suddenly looked skyward.

What’s more, upon reaching the foothills, the ground collapsed beneath them.

“Master! It’s a trap!”

“Saebol Ihwa! Are you alright?”

“…It seems he’s dead!”

“…Poison? Surely not from the Dang Family…”

“It doesn’t seem like the Dang Family.”

‘Traps and arrows.’

Geumcheon Gang instinctively realized that advancing further would cause significant casualties.

There would surely be more traps where the Haean Sword Sect warriors retreated, and it would be tough for even the highly-trained Black Night Team to bypass traps and engage in combat with Haean Sword Sect.

‘I didn’t think we’d be fighting this way.’

Most warriors tended to look down upon bows, especially those from the righteous sects. He hadn’t anticipated a situation where all members of Haean Sword Sect used bows for defense.

As their advance stalled, William, observing the scene, clucked his tongue in regret.

“What a pity. If they had just charged, it would have been an easier fight.”

With a face filled with regret, William looked down at the Black Night Team paused at the foot of the mountain.

With the southern harbor village behind them, they couldn’t finish the situation with just poisoned arrows and traps.

‘Still, it seems we inflicted quite a meaningful blow.’

The most hindering thing in a battlefield isn’t corpses.

The most hindering things in a battlefield are the wounded comrades. Unless they are reanimated corpses, living people naturally can’t ignore their wounded comrades.

Is there anything more obstructive than injured comrades?

William gave a bitter smile recalling his active days on the battlefield.

‘Ironically, I’m using what I once experienced against me.’

“That group appears to be retreating.”

Upon hearing the Sect Leader’s words, he returned to his senses and looked ahead. As the Sect Leader had said, the enemies weren’t approachingHaean Sword Sect’s path easily.

They were aware of the traps.

Normally, one might consider retreating, but the warriors of the Demonic Sect couldn’t do that—not when the Haean Sword Sect members knew they had abandoned their ships and entered the harbor.

They either had to return to the empty southern harbor, regroup and re-engage in battle, or risk advancing despite the dangers.

‘Returning or hiding amounts to suicide, so practically speaking, there’s only one choice.’

William planted his poleaxe in the ground and raised his hand. It was a prearranged signal with the Haean Sword Sect warriors. The archers who had set down their bows began to nock arrows and pull their bowstrings again.

Seeing this, tension appeared on the faces of the black-clad men. At this rate, they’d be annihilated by one-sided attacks. Running away wasn’t a viable option as there was only the empty southern harbor behind them.

The ships were adrift in the open sea, making the choice of escaping via boats practically impossible. And trying to hide would end in slowly starving to death.

Geumcheon Gang instinctively realized there was only one course of action to change the situation.

‘Whether this was intended or a coincidence…’

Either way, he had to play his ace. Geumcheon Gang instinctively knew the Wallbreaker Bomb tucked away in his bosom had to be used.

“We must approach somehow.”

“We’ll take the lead.”

One by one, the Black Night Team members stepped forward, encircling him. If they just managed to approach, they could use the Wallbreaker Bomb to cause huge damage, so attempting it became a must.

Geumcheon Gang tightly shut his eyes and slowly opened them, muttering.

“I’ll buy my drinks in the afterlife.”

The black-clad figures jumped forward, spreading out wide.

“It appears they’ve chosen to charge.”

With a composed face, William lowered his hand.

Arrows soared through the refreshing night wind towards the enemies.

The archery skills of warriors who’d never used bows were pitiful, making it hard to expect accuracy at a distance.

Enough to ignore and run forward.

But with hundreds of arrows, traps, and pitfalls added in… even arrows flying off target become life-threatening.

“There’s a trap on the ground!”

“Watch out for tripwires!”

“There’s a net!”

“Shit!”

Terrifying cries erupted from all sides. Geumcheon Gang ran forward, his eyes fixed straight ahead. As long as he managed to throw the Wallbreaker Bomb, he could turn the tide.

The unwavering hope in his eyes burned brightly.

Upon witnessing that fiery determination, William pulled out his poleaxe from the ground.

“This one looks like the leader.”

“Do you intend to face him?”

“Yes. The probability of him carrying a Wallbreaker Bomb is high, so I’ll ensure he doesn’t get near.”

“You might get hurt.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve already prepared for the Wallbreaker Bomb.”

William took out a flask hanging from his waist. He opened the lid and, looking at the Sect Leader, showed his open hand as he announced.

“I’ll make sure he can’t even use the Wallbreaker Bomb.”

‘It’s been a while since I last did this.’

Recalling his knightly days, William moved forward.

The target was clearly Geumcheon Gang, radiating a ‘I’m the leader’ aura.

William elegantly landed between the Haean Sword Sect and the Demonic Sect, blocking Geumcheon Gang’s path.

“Colored-Eyed Person…?”

“Are you the leader?”

“…Move. Colored-Eyed Person.”

“That can’t happen. I can’t let you proceed with that Wallbreaker Bomb.”

William slowly raised his poleaxe, pointing the shaft end at Geumcheon Gang. Recognizing this as a signal, Geumcheon Gang drew his sword, eyeing the figure before him.

It would be tough to make progress if he couldn’t handle the Colored-Eyed Person.

‘I must dispose of him quickly and charge.’

He couldn’t afford to get held up like this.

“….You’ll regret standing in my way.”

“That’s what I should be saying.”

The battle between the Colored-Eyed Warrior and the warrior of the Demonic Sect erupted.

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