A Medieval Knight in a Martial Arts Novel

“Good morning… Mister…”

“Hye-ryeong, this is an inn.”

So don’t wander around with your clothes all disheveled.

“Ahhh…”

How is this girl so utterly devoid of any sense of crisis? Maybe because I just woke up, but as I watched Hye-ryeong tidying up her disheveled clothes, I averted my gaze and looked down the opposite corridor.

There’s no sign of anyone.

No matter how early people may rise in this medieval era, it seems even at this time when the sun is just rising, people are still in bed.

Or perhaps, the guests staying here may not have any need to get up early. Those who need to work hard for a living rise early, while those with more leisure seek to extend their sleep.

How much time has passed? The rustling sounds began to die down and Hye-ryeong tapped my back. Turning around at her signal, I looked at her.

“Hehe, thank you.”

“You’re a girl, so you shouldn’t let others see you when you’re looking disheveled.”

She already draws every man’s gaze when walking down the street; why is she being so careless?

Letting out a sigh as I observed Hye-ryeong — who has brought trials to the disciples of Hainan Sword Sect simply because we’re of the same sect — she smiled brightly and opened her mouth.

“Hehe, you’re being such a bore. You really are like an uncle.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Hmm, does that mean you’re all closed off?”

Was that a joke or sincere?

Judging from her playful laughter, it seemed she was teasing me. I sighed and replied.

“Am I not open-minded enough?”

I consider myself quite open-minded for a former modern man, not tightfisted like everyone here. In response to my answer, Hye-ryeong smirked.

“Maybe?”

Leaving that cryptic response, she walked past me saying she’d go for a stroll.

I’ll head back to the room and rest a bit.

Since there’s still some time before breakfast, I could while away the hours by taking care of my weapons.

Just as I thought that, Hye-ryeong’s gaze pierced into my back.

An action that seemed to imply there was something she wanted from me.

Even though she didn’t say anything, I think I understood her meaning.

“…I’ll let Elder Baek know and come back.”

“Hehe, you wanted to go for a walk too, didn’t you? Let me guide you!”

Pretending she knew nothing, Hye-ryeong smiled coyly, crossed her hands behind her back, and leaned against the wall. Her stance naturally emphasized her chest, and the fatty lumps swayed up and down, showcasing an intimidating presence.

“…Alright.”

“Hehe, hurry and ask Elder Baek! Uncle!”

That mischievous girl.

It feels like she knows everything, doesn’t she?

Amused, I grabbed the doorknob.

—

“Breakfast sure has a light feel to it.”

I thought the food here would be greasy even in the morning, but to this degree… it’s quite a non-oily meal, isn’t it?

“Though we martial artists may have strong stomachs, other people don’t. Naturally, isn’t it expected?”

Ha-jin responded to my muttering. I nodded in agreement and looked down at the rice noodles served for breakfast.

This, could it be the rice noodles that are endlessly consumed in martial arts novels? Its visual appeal reminds me of something between a soup and rice noodles, captivating my focus.

Scooping up the pure white noodles with my chopsticks and placing them gently into my mouth, the soft texture and the broth-soaked noodles filled my mouth.

This is noodles!

Once the noodles enter my mouth, they just keep coming in non-stop. Given that it’s the morning, the less oily noodles from the Central Plains cuisine disappeared in the blink of an eye.

“Is it that delicious?”

“Jon… No, it’s really so delicious.”

I can’t even remember the last time I had noodle dishes.

Not having eaten any in at least two years, this was truly a moving reunion. Western meals didn’t give me the opportunity to eat noodles like these that slide down so easily.

Paste?

Is a soldier supposed to eat pasta?

…But in the first place, with this era’s typical reliance on local sourcing, there’s no chance they’d have pasta here.

Noodles are kind of good as preservation food, though they can be a bit cumbersome to cook.

The only thing I’ve ever heard about pasta is that story from a Pythagorean guy about how pasta was this and that. Considering the timeline, tomatoes wouldn’t be available, so it would be different from the pasta I know, but I still want to try it.

“Waiter! Another bowl of noodles!”

“Yes, sir!”

The waiter, who had been standing there absentmindedly beside the kitchen, quickly responded and disappeared into the kitchen, seemingly to relay my order to the chef.

In the meantime, I’ll soothe my mouth with the tasty soup.

I gently sipped the broth of the plain rice noodles with a spoon.

“Ho ho, Great Hero Wi, you must have been very hungry.”

“The battlefield requires you to eat as much as possible when you can. I guess I still have that habit. Moreover, my body size demands it.”

“Indeed…”

“Considering the maintenance of a body size like this, it’s inevitable to eat a lot, isn’t it?”

“Exactly…”

“Aunt, try this too!”

“Great Hero, you should try this braised pork with green onions.”

The look in my companions’ eyes carried a slightly sympathetic shine.

They know my situation, so they’re giving me that pitying gaze. I devoured everything they handed me.

After all, pride doesn’t feed you.

While enjoying this happy breakfast moment, I sensed someone approaching us as I was finishing my third bowl of noodles.

The lack of any discomfort in my skin suggested they meant no harm, but it would be inappropriate to completely ignore them.

Setting down my chopsticks, I looked up to meet their gaze.

“Elder Baek. Have you been well?”

“Lord Myeong, it’s been too long.”

The middle-aged martial artist and middle-aged man exchanged polite bows as if in a scene from a movie. I alternated my gaze between the two.

It seems they know each other. Could it be that Elder Baek noticed him and came over, or is there some business?

“It’s fortunate to see that you’re still healthy.”

“Ho ho, if martial artists weren’t healthy, wouldn’t they be corpses?”

So just here to chat?

While letting their idle talk pass through one ear and out the other, I picked up my chopsticks.

I didn’t want to eat soggy noodles.

It was about halfway through an incense stick’s burning time when I lifted my head realizing Lord Myeong was peering at me with curiosity.

“Ho ho, Elder Baek, I heard this person gave a good scolding to the ruffians of Stone Family and Hundred Family yesterday.”

“Great Hero William is an outstanding martial artist. Our Hainan Sword Sect has also greatly benefited.”

“Oh, so this is a great martial artist. My name is Myeong Yunjin. I’m a humble merchant.”

“I am William Marshall. A martial artist currently indebted to Hainan Sword Sect.”

I thought it might be time I started using an appropriate Chinese name, but none came to mind. As I pondered, I reciprocated the bow, and Lord Myeong returned it.

“Ho ho, it’s curious to know how Great Hero Wi and the Hainan Sword Sect came to know each other, but alas, it seems now isn’t the right moment to hear. I have an urgent matter.”

“Urgent matter, you say…”

So this was the purpose. I subtly probed Lord Myeong who, as if choosing his words carefully, paused momentarily before slowly speaking.

“I had a significant caravan business, but the security agency I planned to hire encountered a sudden issue and can’t handle the job this time. I was in quite a bind.”

“Since we need to start today to meet our originally agreed schedule, it’s quite the predicament…”

Lord Myeong trailed off, looking earnestly at Elder Baek.

So the merchant had a purpose in approaching us. Elder Baek opened his mouth at the tactful request from Lord Myeong.

“While it’s in our hearts to help, we have come from Hainan Province to attend a Martial Alliance event. Unfortunately…”

“Ahh, fortunately! My destination is on the way to Hubei.”

“Hmm…”

Elder Baek looked contemplative, as if it wasn’t something he could immediately agree to. After all, we weren’t here for leisure and were carrying important news that needed speedy delivery.

“Master. The situation is difficult, and we’ve deliberately allotted ample time for our start, no?”

After keeping quiet for quite some time, Ha-jin offered Elder Baek advice.

“This is correct, Elder Baek! Refusing those in hardship is not fitting for the righteous ways of our sect, is it?”

“Right!”

As well as Ha-jing, Huiling and Mu-gwang also voiced their agreement.

Whether this sprang from a genuine sense of righteousness or because of any potential pastry rewards, their support for helping those in difficult times generally seemed correct, so I thought I might add my opinion as well.

“If our destinations align, traveling together doesn’t seem bad.”

Elder Baek smiled slightly, unable to refuse the group opinion.

“Ho ho, if everyone’s opinion aligns this way, there are no reasons to decline.”

“Thank you very much, Junior Martial Hero Ha-jin.”

“Nope, Master Myeong. We must help each other when in need, don’t we?”

… Look at that!

Amused by the tightly-packed messages exchanged in these few words, I couldn’t help but smile.

“I’ll take care of your food, lodging, and transportation during our trip.”

“Thank you.”

“Not at all. Shouldn’t I be the one thanking you?”

With that, we agreed to travel with Master Myeong’s caravan all the way to Wuchang county in northern Guangdong province.

---