Acquiring the Murim with Money - Chapter 33

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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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Episode 33. Two Bald Heads Make Cooperation Doubly Strong

Kangho held more martial sects than one could count. Among them, the Shaolin Sect—revered as the North Star of the martial world and called the Greatest Peak—had long served as the cornerstone of the righteous path.
Though it was said that all the martial arts under heaven sprang from Shaolin, the Emei Sect, one of the two great masters of the Buddhist Gate, was known to possess a sword-song equally profound and majestic, and no less worthy of esteem.
Shaolin and Emei—called the twin pillars that upheld the righteous path. Yet despite their renown, in truth both sects rarely involved themselves in worldly affairs.
Many spent their entire lives within the main temple, devoted to cultivation and never stepping beyond its walls. Most disciples, save the lay devotees among them, seldom ventured into external activities unless duty demanded it.
But those temples were still places where people lived. Sect leaders especially could not spend their days in seclusion, cultivating alone.
Both Shaolin and Emei occasionally sent forth those expected to lead their sects in the future on righteous missions through Kangho.
And during the last exchange between the two Buddhist sects, an ember had been kindled—by sect leaders who, harboring pride in their disciples of legendary talent, had begun to subtly boast.

* * *

“Amitabha Buddha!”
A golden flash erupted across the courtyard.
Bang!
The explosive force of a staff technique slammed into the ground. Five or six bandits flew backward through the air.
“Don’t cut in line, you shaven-headed fool!”
“Heh heh, it was the young lady who was being unreasonable. My staff reached half a cun ahead of yours.”
As the dust settled, two figures could be seen standing among the chaos, exchanging barbs without a care for their surroundings.
One was a young monk.
His scalp gleamed with an almost supernatural polish; his robes and surplice hung perfectly. Tall and fine-featured, his eyes shone with a clarity that brimmed with unmistakable stubbornness. The Copper Staff at his waist still hummed with residual energy. Hye Gwang—whom the Shaolin Sect regarded as its greatest prodigy in history, though his name had yet to reach the world—wielded the Bokma Staff Technique.
The other was a woman.
Her features were delicate and composed despite her youth, yet beneath them lay a sharpness and an indefinable streak of defiance. And most striking: like Hye Gwang, she bore no hair. The sword in her grip was wreathed in a chill that cut like winter wind. She was Ju Yak Gyeong, the Crimson Flash Sword—Emei’s genius swordsmaster.
In truth, Emei disciples need not shave their heads as Shaolin did. But after she had hesitated during a real sparring match in her youth when her hair was severed—a moment of distraction that cost her the bout—she had not grown her hair again a single day since.
These two First Emergence adventurers looked at each other and spoke in unison.
“I struck first.”
“I did.”
Hye Gwang clasped his palms together gently and spoke.
“My staff force sent them flying first. The young lady’s sword energy arrived only after.”
Ju Yak Gyeong gripped her sword, its chill palpable, and growled.
“You don’t think your staff interfered with my sword energy? And just days ago on Bok Oo Mountain, didn’t you feel firsthand how suffocating your Shaolin arts are? You barely knocked out a handful of bandits, but my blade has left over ten corpses in its wake!”
“Amitabha Buddha.”
Hye Gwang smiled warmly and clasped his hands again.
“To subdue through the compassion of Non-killing—how could that equal taking life? The higher one’s realm, the less blood need be spilled. Your sword still lacks true calm; it is simply drenched in killing intent.”
On the surface, these were pious Buddhist terms. But beneath them lay an unmistakable meaning: ‘I am superior to you.’
Ju Yak Gyeong’s delicate brows contorted.
“You mad, bald-headed freaks! Get them now!”
The snake-eyed man, who had been staring in shock, snapped to attention and bellowed. His cry became the signal.
Hye Gwang’s staff cut through the air with a heavy, rushing sound. Though the movement was fluid, the impact on the ground was like a thunderbolt. Three bandits fell at once, coughing blood.
Ju Yak Gyeong’s sword was different. The thrust seemed straightforward enough, yet the sword energy that bloomed divided into nine streams in mid-air, carving through her enemies.
Even amid the screams and the stench of blood, the two’s petty rivalry did not cease.
“Three.”
“Five for me! Just admit the sword is faster than the staff!”
“You merely got lucky, striking down a swarm of incompetent brutes who charged together. Heh heh. A Shaolin disciple’s word is absolute, so I shall subdue more without taking a single life.”
“We at Emei don’t go back on our word either. We avoid needless killing, but evil cannot be judged without bloodshed.”
Both of them, in any case, wielded such overwhelming martial force that it was nearly impossible to judge superiority.
These legendary prodigies of the great orthodox sects were pouring their competitiveness onto bandits wholly unworthy of their talents.
In barely half an incense-stick’s time, more than thirty bandits who had filled the courtyard were fleeing, abandoning their fallen comrades and screaming in terror. Even the snake-eyed man scrambled away, trembling with fear.
So Ryang and Byeok So Yeon, who had wandered into the courtyard to watch, now approached Baek Un Hui. So Ryang whispered, flabbergasted.
“They seem to absolutely hate each other. I mean, the only thing they have in common is that they’re both incredibly strong baldies—so why are they traveling together?”
“Perhaps because without a rival, one cannot truly prove oneself. Don’t you think?”
Baek Un Hui chuckled softly and moved forward.
While Hye Gwang and Ju Yak Gyeong continued bickering over who had defeated more bandits, Baek Un Hui approached Jin Mu Yeon, who stood frozen.
“W-who exactly are those people…?”
Jin Mu Yeon asked in a trembling voice.
“I couldn’t say for certain. Wayward adventurers passing through, it seems.”
Baek Un Hui smiled and lightly patted Jin Mu Yeon’s shoulder.
“Well, now that these uninvited guests have gone, shall we resume our investment discussion?”
“An investment…… ?”
Jin Mu Yeon’s hollow eyes wavered.
“As you can see, our transport company is ruined. We’re over three thousand taels in debt, and the ships are about to be seized. I don’t know who you are, but why are you suddenly…….”
“As I said, I’m a merchant who wants to invest in this transport company.”
Gwak Dae Ho hoisted himself up using a cane as a staff and glared at Baek Un Hui. His eyes, worn by betrayal and despair, held a sharp edge nonetheless.
“A passing merchant doesn’t just offer to pay off another man’s debts. What’s your real purpose?”
“I never said I’d simply pay them off. I want to invest, and my purpose is the profit that comes from that investment.”
Baek Un Hui met Gwak Dae Ho’s gaze directly, unflinching.
“I’d suggest we move elsewhere. You are the transport master, aren’t you? The company owner ought to be sitting somewhere, so if you go inside with him, I’ll follow shortly.”
Jin Mu Yeon, his legs giving way, was helped into the inner quarters by Gwak Dae Ho. Baek Un Hui watched the two martial prodigies in the courtyard still brawling, shouting—”A merciful young monk’s staff is true righteous action!”, “Mercy can freeze and die!”
‘A man true to his word never takes it back……’
“Truly brilliant martial prowess you display.”
Baek Un Hui stepped forward, treading over the shattered remains of the cart.
A respectful fist salute. A graceful smile.
The gazes of Hye Gwang and Ju Yak Gyeong, bristling at each other moments before, both snapped toward him at once.
“I never knew the spirit of Shaolin and Emei could shine so brilliantly upon Nam Yang soil. I am a merchant passing through. I am moved by your righteous action.”
Hye Gwang clasped his hands in salute and lifted his chin slightly.
“Heh heh. You’re too kind. We simply fulfilled the way of the Buddhist Gate, nothing more.”
Ju Yak Gyeong crossed her arms and spoke with unbridled pride.
“We did what was natural. Emei’s sword does not abide injustice.”
Baek Un Hui swiftly began analyzing the two.
The Golden Divine Eyes activated.

[Target: Hye Gwang]
[Latent Value: Unmeasurable (current estimate 10,000 taels or more)]
[Status and Remarkable Features]
Shaolin Seventy-Two Techniques Bokma Staff Technique: 8 stars
Shaolin External Discipline Diamond Indestructible Qi: ??
Shaolin Palm Method Great Force Diamond Palm: ??
Shaolin Lightness Skill Soaring Cloud Movement: 5 stars
Shaolin Finger Method One Finger Zen: 4 stars
Shaolin Breathing Art Muscle Tendon Change Scripture: ??
[Core Characteristic: Extremely sensitive to righteous purpose. Never goes back on his word once spoken.]
[Full martial skill realm unable to display.]

[Target: Ju Yak Gyeong]
[Latent Value: Unmeasurable (current estimate 10,000 taels or more)]
[Status and Remarkable Features]
Emei Nine Palace Sword Technique: 8 stars
Emei Palm Method White Cloud Palm: ??
Emei Lightness Skill Flying Swallow Movement: 5 stars
Emei Finger Method Wisdom Sword Finger: ??
Emei Internal Art Clear Heart Manual: ??
[Core Characteristic: Extremely strong competitive spirit.]
[Full martial skill realm unable to display.]

‘A perfect framework.’
Baek Un Hui exhaled deeply—loudly enough to be heard.
“However.”
His voice grew heavier.
“True righteous action lies in the ending. How truly unfortunate.”
Hye Gwang’s eyebrows twitched.
“Unfortunate? What do you mean by that?”
“It is true that your exceptional martial prowess drove back the river bandits.”
Baek Un Hui pointed to the far end of the courtyard—toward where the fleeing bandits had gone, toward the river.
“But their debt remains unresolved. Moreover, they came to collect a debt, were attacked, and casualties were suffered. So long as the Black Dragon Bandits’ main force stands intact, the moment these poor transport company folk set their boats upon the waterway, they will be slaughtered to the last man. Ah, how your brilliant exploits today have only hastened their doom.”
Hye Gwang’s expression visibly hardened.
Ju Yak Gyeong, who had been secretly preening over driving back the bandit gang, narrowed her eyes.
“If someone were to protect the Yangtze’s waters directly, escorting them as they sail and shielding them from the Black Dragon Bandits’ reach, for the sake of these people who have lost even the courage to launch their boats and sit drowning in debt……”
Baek Un Hui continued quietly.
“That would surely be the greatest righteous action under heaven. Though I hesitate to ask such a taxing service of you both.”
Silence fell.
Then the two of them spoke at once.
“Amitabha Buddha. Who said it was taxing.”
“The monk’s out. I’ll do it!”
Hye Gwang declared it with passion rising in his face.
“Your words are harsh! Young lady, you should be on your way. I shall board their vessel and ensure safe passage. It is not the way of a Buddhist to turn a blind eye to those in peril, nor to fail in uprooting wickedness!”
Ju Yak Gyeong gripped her sword hilt, unwilling to be outdone.
“To strike down the wicked and shelter the weak—that is Emei’s duty. I will guard the Changhae Transport Company’s waters!”
Baek Un Hui’s mouth curved up ever so slightly.
“Truly inspiring. So that such noble purpose remains unshaken, it would be even better to leave a document according to the laws of Kangho.”
He withdrew papers prepared in advance and offered them.
Hye Gwang accepted the document with a bewildered tilt of his head.
“What covenant is this, suddenly presented?”
“A record of your intentions in writing. In Kangho, leaving evidence of righteous action is an honorable deed, is it not?”
“Ha, certainly it is.”
Hye Gwang nodded broadly, then signed his name in the covenant’s blank. Ju Yak Gyeong, determined not to be second to Hye Gwang, signed swiftly without even reading it properly.
So Ryang accepted the document from behind and scanned its contents.

[Cooperation Covenant Document: The undersigned shall perform escort duties for the Changhae Transport Company until the Black Dragon Bandits are eradicated. Should the Changhae Transport Company make request, they shall take responsibility for all goods and persons, pledging to protect them safely to the end, staking the honor of their respective sects. Signatory: Hye Gwang. Signatory: Ju Yak Gyeong.]

So Ryang leaned close to Baek Un Hui’s ear and whispered.
“There’s no time limit written here. How long are they supposed to do this?”
“Until the Black Dragon Bandits are dealt with.”
So Ryang nodded slowly. Then, tucking the document away, she spoke.
“We’ve secured top-tier protection at no cost.”
“It’s not costless.”
Baek Un Hui turned his body as he spoke.
“I gave them justification. For those two, justification is worth more than money.”

Martial Mergers & Acquisitions: Chapter 33

Author
Song Bbun Bol
Publisher
Daon Creative
Planning / Editing / Production
Yun Tae Ri
Cover Design
Sik

UCI
G720:N+A036-20260907057.0033

ⓒ2026, Song Bbun Bol

※ This e-book is protected under the copyright laws of the Republic of Korea.
Without permission from the author and publisher, no part or all of this work may be reworked or reproduced in any form.

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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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