Acquiring the Murim with Money - Chapter 31

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 31. “Four People, One Bird”

So-ryang entered the office and set the ledger down on the desk with a sharp thud.
“Done.”
Baek Un-hui picked up the ledger.
He scanned the numbers.
“…So-ryang.”
“Yes?”
“Didn’t you squeeze them a bit too hard?”
“These are assets we built up with our own hands. Honestly, if it were up to me, I wouldn’t have handed over a single copper coin. Those Cheon-ma people thought they’d get a free meal—they’re out of their minds. There’s no way they can refuse us outright. From the beginning, we earned the merchants’ trust one by one, opened new trade routes, put in enormous time and effort. We had to extract every last bit of what we’re owed.”
Baek Un-hui set the ledger down and looked at So-ryang.
“You’re right. You worked hard. Really hard.”
So-ryang let out a snort.
“Never mind the praise. So when we get to Nanyang, what exactly are we doing?”
“Expanding the logistics network. Nanyang is the largest trading hub in the southern Central Plain—it connects to Hubei and reaches toward Anhui and Sichuan. We need to build a new network there that will branch out across the entire Central Plain.”
“What about the Blood Sect?”
“You saw it yourself back then—that massive flow of funds suspected to be theirs. That tide that was spreading out and gradually seeping into the Central Plain is now converging toward the center. Chang’an, Kaifeng, and our Luoyang. When they and the Cheon-ma Trading Company collide at that center, that’s our moment. We need to stay away from the middle and lay our own network down at every bottleneck where their funding flows. Right now there’s still a lot of uncertainty—we don’t know which operations are linked to the Blood Sect and which belong to the Cheon-ma Divine Sect or other forces. But once we get out there and work the ground ourselves, the real picture will become clearer.”
So-ryang stopped moving the abacus.
“…You think we can actually pull this off? From what I can see, it honestly feels like throwing an egg at a rock.”
“We make it work whether we can or not. And this money will be our foundation.”
So-ryang put away the abacus and stood up.
“When do we leave?”
“In two days.”
“I’ve been too busy to pack a single thing. Give me a hand?”
“Me? Why?”
“The steward’s baggage is the company’s baggage.”

* * *

The next day. Early morning, the day before departure.
Baek Un-hui visited Bi-cheon Peak.
Byeok Jin-gang was still recovering. His complexion had improved considerably, and when Baek Un-hui entered, he straightened up on his bed.
“You’ve come.”
“I came to pay my respects. I’ll be leaving Luoyang in a few days.”
“I heard. You’re heading to Nanyang.”
Byeok Jin-gang nodded and spoke.
“Expanding the Byeok Clan’s Flying Messenger Corps network—it’s something we must do as well. There’s quite a bit of preparation needed, so go ahead and depart first. I’ll have the key people follow you afterward.”
“Thank you, Family Head.”
Then Baek Un-hui sensed movement beyond the door.
Byeok Jin-gang glanced in that direction, then let out a soft laugh.
“And.”
“Yes.”
“I’d like you to take the Assistant Family Head with you.”
Baek Un-hui’s eyes widened as he looked at Byeok Jin-gang.
“Until now, all we’ve done is provide trained Flying Messenger Corps members to other wealthy organizations. The network we directly manage is essentially our first, aside from the Luoyang branch. This task is truly important for both you and the Byeok Clan—I’d like to step forward myself, but as you can see, I’m in no condition to do so. Having the Assistant Family Head help establish the foundation while handling matters as acting Family Head is the right approach.”
“Family Head. We don’t know how long this will take, and there will be many dangers.”
“That’s fine.”
Byeok Jin-gang cut the matter short, his tone decisive. Yet his gaze remained warm.
“So-yeon is a child with a vessel too large to spend her life confined within these mountains and the family’s walls. While I’ve been ill and bedridden, I’ve heard all about how she endured. I know her heart.”
The sound beyond the door fell quiet.
Baek Un-hui rose from his seat and bowed his fists.
Byeok Jin-gang nodded and smiled.
“And, Manager Un-hui.”
“Yes.”
“My daughter may seem spirited on the surface, but her heart is tender. I’m entrusting her to you.”
Baek Un-hui met his eyes for a moment, then bowed his head.
“I will keep that in mind.”
As he left the room, Byeok So-yeon stood at the end of the corridor, with Cheong-pung, her azure sparrow, perched on her shoulder.
She spoke first.
“I heard.”
“Yes.”
“Father shouldn’t worry like that. I’m grown now. There’s no need for him to fuss over me.”
And she added quickly.
“And in case there’s any misunderstanding—I didn’t ask Father separately to let me come along. That’s not it at all.”
Baek Un-hui suppressed a smile as he spoke.
“I see. The truth is, the Flying Messenger Corps network and our company’s logistics expansion both require the Byeok Clan—or rather, the Assistant Family Head. And Cheong-pung as well.”
Cheong-pung wagged his tail once.
Byeok So-yeon nodded and spoke.
“Then that settles it. You said we depart tomorrow morning? I’ll head down early.”
With that, she turned and walked away.
Baek Un-hui watched her departing figure, then raised a hand toward the sky in farewell before turning to descend.
Cheong-pung, gliding lazily through the heavens, cried out toward him once.
Chirp-chirp-chirp.

* * *

Baek Un-hui arrived at the Baek Un Trading Company around dusk, after finishing his business at the Byeok Clan.
The moment he stepped into the compound, the training grounds were unusually loud.
Gwang-du had gathered the Cheng-shui Group members and was delivering some sort of lecture—something about how they needed to work harder and more spiritedly while the Manager was away—all while constantly wiping his eyes.
Seo-seo gave a similar speech before the Heaven-Ear Network children and eventually broke down sniffling; the children, catching his mood, began wiping their noses as well.
Baek Un-hui watched the scene from the veranda with a baffled expression, then descended to the courtyard.
“I’m not dying. I’m not even going far. What is everyone doing?”
Gwang-du wiped his eyes with his sleeve as he spoke.
“It’s nothing. Just some smoke got in my eyes.”
“Smoke? Where would smoke come from in the training grounds?”
“Just is what it is.”
Seo-seo rushed over and grabbed Baek Un-hui’s sleeve.
“Manager, let me come with you.”
“You’re in charge of the Heaven-Ear Network. Without the company’s eyes and ears here, what happens to this place?”
“Still—”
“If we need information from Nanyang, I’ll contact you first. Your role is crucial.”
Seo-seo pouted his lips but nodded.
Baek Un-hui turned to Gwang-du as well.
“Gwang-du. We had to sell the trading post this time, but we’ll reclaim it someday. In any case, the Transportation Division’s original work and the medicinal herb business continue unchanged. Just be careful not to clash unnecessarily with the Cheon-ma Trading Company people. Though there’s absolutely no need to be intimidated by them either.”
“Don’t worry. That was never my style anyway. I’ll keep working hard and training even harder.”
Gwang-du flexed his forearm and grinned.
Soon after, Baek Un-hui found himself sitting across from Pung-geun in the training grounds.
Pung-geun wiped sweat from his brow and asked.
“You’re not taking me?”
“No.”
“May I ask why?”
Baek Un-hui gathered his thoughts for a moment before speaking.
“Without you, this company will falter.”
Pung-geun listened quietly.
“Someone needs to hold the main headquarters of the Baek Un Trading Company. Even with my sister here, it won’t be easy for her alone. And while she’s managed almost entirely on her own before, you served as the security captain—you know how to move everyone in lockstep when needed. Even without me, the root of the company is here. Father is here, and so are Seo-seo, Gwang-du, and all our people. But for them to move as one unified body, there needs to be a center.”
“And that center is me?”
“Yes. And without you, who will oversee the muscle training for our people?”
Pung-geun fell silent for a long while before speaking carefully.
“…Manager.”
“Yes?”
“Before you depart, undergo one special training session.”
Baek Un-hui’s expression hardened.
“We’re leaving tomorrow morning.”
“I see. Morning training tomorrow won’t be possible, so come tonight with the Treasurer. I’ll prepare your daily External Martial Arts Training Regimen, the two of you can practice together every day. And your diet as well.”
“……Understood.”
Pung-geun smiled brightly.

Soon after, in the inner quarters.
Baek Yeon-hwa stood at the doorway with her arms crossed, watching Baek Un-hui.
“I’m coming with you.”
“You need to stay here.”
“Why.”
Baek Un-hui met her gaze directly.
“Luoyang isn’t fully settled yet. Pung-cheon could cause trouble, and we can’t know when the Blood Sect might target us again. The Cheon-ma Trading Company promised safety in emergencies, but there’s no way to predict how things will actually unfold.”
“You’re always worrying about us, but I’m more worried about you.”
“I understand your concern. But So-ryang will be there, and Byeok So-yeon will come as assistant head. Elite warriors from the Byeok Clan will join us as well.”
Baek Yeon-hwa studied her brother for a long moment, then spoke with an expression of resignation.
“Always be careful.”
“I will.”
“Eat well.”
“I will.”
“Make sure So-ryang takes care of you.”
“So-ryang needs me to take care of her.”
“That girl is more delicate than you are.”
Baek Un-hui smiled softly.
Baek Yeon-hwa finally uncrossed her arms and gripped her brother’s shoulder firmly before releasing it.
No more words passed between them. Yet that grip held much.

* * *

The next day. Dawn of their departure.
Baek Un-hui visited his father’s quarters one last time.
Baek Man-seok was already awake, sitting by the window, watching the dawn break over Luoyang.
“You’ve come.”
“Yes.”
Baek Un-hui took his seat.
“You’re leaving.”
“Yes.”
“Nanyang, you said?”
“Yes. I plan to begin there.”
Baek Man-seok gazed out the window before speaking.
“You’ve been busy these past days, going here and there.”
“There were many people I needed to bid farewell to before departing.”
“Good. You’ve cultivated fine connections. Don’t forget that heart of yours that looks after those around you. A merchant doesn’t leave behind only profit—he must leave behind people.”
“I will remember.”
“I know. I know that you already do.”
Baek Man-seok gazed at his son with a quiet smile.
“Say what’s on your mind, if there is anything.”
Baek Un-hui chose his words carefully for a moment.
“I’m sorry for the worry I’ve caused you. And—”
He continued.
“Thank you for trusting my decisions. I’ll do well and return.”
Baek Man-seok slowly extended his hand.
It was rough and lined—a hand that once commanded Luoyang’s merchant circles, now drained of much of its strength.
Baek Un-hui clasped it.
“Don’t worry about things here. Go and return safely.”
“Yes, Father.”

The dawn air was crisp.
In the courtyard, So-ryang bundled the luggage while Dong-gi worked diligently beside her. Byeok So-yeon stood quietly in one corner of the yard, Cheong-pung draped across her shoulders.
Dang So-yu leaned against the veranda, tilting a wine gourd to his lips.
Baek Yeon-hwa, Pung-geun, Gwang-du, Seo-seo, and all the others from the trading company lined up at the gate.
The moment Pung-geun saw Baek Un-hui and So-ryang, he spoke.
“Don’t slack on your training just because I’m not here. Eat plenty of meat. And Steward—don’t neglect your lower body work. The Mounted Combat Training is non-negotiable. When you return, I’ll have a specialized regimen ready based on how much you’ve both improved.”
“I look forward to it.”
Baek Yeon-hwa watched her brother silently, then gave a single nod.
Dang So-yu descended from the veranda and spoke.
“Let’s be off.”
“Are you leaving this morning as well, elder? It would be better if you stayed a while longer and we departed together when I return.”
“I’m a busy man in my own right. I have matters to attend to, so don’t come looking for me for a while. In any case, we’ll travel together as far as the port at Nanyang. We can switch boats there.”
Dang So-yu sniffled once and shifted his weight to move forward.
So-ryang grunted as she loaded the baggage onto the horse.
“Even after cutting down what we could, there’s still so much of it.”
Baek Un-hui stepped through the gate.
The dawn of Luoyang was slowly brightening.
Byeok So-yeon arrived without a sound and took her place beside him. From the sky, Cheong-pung suddenly dove down toward So-ryang, whom he hadn’t seen in some time, and the startled girl tumbled from the horse she’d been mounting, landing hard on her backside.
Cheong-pung circled teasingly above the aching So-ryang; Dang So-yu’s face remained impassive; Byeok So-yeon couldn’t hide her excitement at this first journey; and Baek Un-hui’s expression was unreadable. Four people and four horses, with a single bird among them, turned their backs on Luoyang and set out down the road.
Baek Yeon-hwa, who had remained at the gate watching until the very end, gazed after their departing figures and spoke softly to herself.
“I will protect the company. Travel safely and return in good health.”
Baek Yeon-hwa’s face set with resolve as she picked up her sword and headed toward the training ground.

Purchasing the Jianghu: Episode 31

Author
Song Jjeonbol
Publisher
Daon Creative
Planning / Editing / Production
Yun Tae-ri
Cover Design
Sik

UCI
G720:N+A036-20260907057.0031

ⓒ2026, Song Jjeonbol

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No part or entirety of this work may be reproduced or modified in any form without permission from the author and publisher.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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