A Modern Man Who Got Transmigrated Into the Murim World

**Chapter 45**

The elders of the three noble families within the Yicheon Blood Prison who had been observing the entire scene were so dumbfounded that they couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief.

The most intense reaction came not from the Sword Saint’s Zhou Family, but rather from the Sima Family.

– What kind of crazy fool is this?

– Even though his master is watching, he dares to act like this! What a disgrace!

– How dare he sell his master’s legacy for money!

Strictly speaking, the Sword Tomb’s sword marks aren’t even the Sword Saint’s. He clearly didn’t know what he was talking about!

As the Sima elders fussed, Zhou Hui was about to snap back in frustration when—

The Sima family’s elder, upon reviewing Zhou Hui’s memories, was once again stunned.

– This… this crazy fool!

He had seen it all now.

From the moment Zhou Hui arrived in the Central Plains with nothing but two testicles, to how he built up his wealth and gained Nanguong’s help.

He had expanded into the Grand Merchant Association, devouring the merchant scene of Habi, and then brought down the Black Heaven Lotus of Jiangxi. The entire process was both ruthless and meticulous.

Even Sima Yi, who was known for his strategic mind, comparable to Zhuge Liang, couldn’t help but feel that Zhou Hui’s schemes were beyond the scope of human understanding.

Zhou Hui had become the absolute ruler of the business world, controlling areas spanning two provinces.

With the enormous influence of being a disciple of the Sword Saint, and now, what? He had the power of life and death over a hundred thousand believers as the “Heavenly Demon” (天魔)?

Despite any fortunate encounters, to achieve all of this in less than a decade was simply unfathomable.

If he could, Sima Yi would immediately shout at the head of the current Sima family, Sima Gang, to never, under any circumstances, face off against this madman.

Confronting such a powerful foe would put the entire Sima family at risk.

Other Sima elders, after reviewing Zhou Hui’s memories, also gasped or chuckled bitterly.

– Heh heh heh…!

– Truly a madman!

Zhou Hui’s recent declaration to turn his master’s residence into a tourist spot was nothing compared to his past actions.

Using his supreme martial arts to destroy the warehouses of the Black Heaven Lotus while meticulously redirecting all attention to the Changchen Sword Association with the help of Nanguong’s martial arts.

Using the Sword Spirit’s martial arts to confuse his enemies into mistaking them for something intangible, while offering them his usual energy supplements, leading them to believe it was a cure for illness.

His persuasive speech that could sway even the proud masters of noble houses, and his mind games that made even the high-ranking officials of the Martial Alliance look like fools.

The way he manipulated others seemed entirely otherworldly.

Every moment, his brilliant adaptability, eloquent speech, and the sophisticated psychological tactics he employed seemed like a textbook on strategy and wisdom.

To put it more bluntly, it seemed as though everyone around Zhou Hui was a fool, especially when they stood before him, completely outmaneuvered.

And the greatest fool of them all was now speaking up again.

“Then, will all the profits go to the Zhou Family’s Grand Merchant Association?”

Suddenly, Mu Huang interjected, and for a moment, Zhou Hui’s eyes flashed with surprise, but he quickly regained his composure.

“I’ll give 10% of the profits to the Alliance.”

Mu Huang’s gaze toward Zhou Hui became unexpectedly transparent.

Indeed, the person who controlled the martial world’s influence over nearly half of the Central Plains.

“10%? Nothing more than that. We must consider the poor financial situation of the common martial artists. I will keep the admission fees as low as possible.”

“20%.”

Zhou Hui reacted with an exaggerated expression of disbelief.

What a thief’s mentality!

All the hard work would be done by the Zhou Family’s Grand Merchant Association, and yet Mu Huang wanted to take half?

“Isn’t that a bit much? Where’s your conscience?”

Mu Huang smirked and responded in his usual booming voice.

“For a merchant to talk about conscience? That’s like a drunkard scolding a scholar! You know what I mistrust the most in this world? A merchant who says there’s nothing left to gain.”

“…”

Mu Huang was no simple foe.

But unexpectedly, Zhou Hui suddenly smiled brightly and accepted Mu Huang’s request.

“Alright, 10%. It’s a deal.”

“Hmm?”

Mu Huang was taken aback, not expecting such an easy resolution to the negotiation.

“Really? You’re agreeing to 10%?”

It was an obviously unreasonable demand, made just to test him, but Zhou Hui accepted without hesitation?

Mu Huang had no idea what Zhou Hui’s true intentions were.

“We’re just a small, powerless association. Since it’s the Martial Alliance’s request, what could we possibly do but cooperate?”

Zhou Hui’s response filled Mu Huang with an unbearable unease.

“We’ll cooperate in name only. After accounting for all the costs, we won’t be left with much profit. The main profit will go to the Alliance, so please stamp the Martial Alliance’s seal on the admission tickets.”

It was only then that Mu Huang fully understood Zhou Hui’s intent.

If he was going to take 20% of the business profits, it was clear that the Zhou Family would establish the Sword Saint’s Tomb as a historic site, charging for tours, while the Martial Alliance would be the one to truly run and profit from it.

But how could the Martial Alliance, the protector of justice in the martial world, allow such rumors about selling a great hero’s tomb for money?

“Heh heh…”

Mu Huang had no choice but to acknowledge that the young man before him, Cho Hwi, was not an ordinary figure.

“I’ll accept that amount,” Mu Huang said, conceding.

Cho Hwi, as if he had anticipated this, nodded in agreement. “Understood.”

At that moment, as Mu Huang frowned and sighed in bitterness, Dan Baek Woo, the Inspector General, hurriedly approached and whispered in his ear.

Upon hearing what Dan Baek Woo had said, Mu Huang’s eyes widened in shock as he turned to observe the procession of the Sima family.

There was a commotion. Something was going on.

Mu Huang immediately stiffened and, with a serious expression, spoke to Cho Hwi.

“Has the descendant of the Northern Sea arrived here?”

“A!” Cho Hwi, without needing to see what had transpired between the Sima family and Han Seol-hyun, understood at once.

The Sima family and the Northern Sea Ice Palace were sworn enemies who could not coexist under the same sky.

As expected, the energy of an intense aura began to condense rapidly at the head of the Sima family’s procession.

The aura was filled with rage, and it was clear that this was the presence of Sima Kang.

“Damn it,” Cho Hwi muttered.

His own energy dissipated, and as a result, Mu Huang and the Divine Sword Master’s auras also blurred. In an instant, Cho Hwi appeared right in front of Sima Kang, breaking through the energy barrier with intense eyes.

“What are you trying to do right now?”

Sima Kang, still holding onto his clenched fist filled with rage, spat out coldly, “You’ve brought a descendant of the Ice Empress to the Central Plains? What the hell are you thinking?”

“I don’t care whether she’s a descendant of the Ice Empress. She is simply a department head of our Cho Gadaesanghoe. Please, put away your murderous intent,” Cho Hwi replied calmly.

Sima Kang’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Are you not a Central Plains person? How can you not understand the history between the Northern Sea and the Central Plains, even after all this time?”

“Are you referring to the time when they stripped a woman naked, tied her up on the streets of Jeongju, and let her starve to death? Or perhaps you’re recalling how they slaughtered innocent Northern Sea people who didn’t even know martial arts?” Cho Hwi retorted.

“You! The fact that you’re not mentioning the slaughter carried out by the Northern Sea in the Central Plains means you’re clearly working for the Northern Sea, aren’t you?” Sima Kang yelled.

Cho Hwi scoffed and laughed.

Sima Kang was the most worthless person Cho Hwi had ever encountered among the absolute masters he had met.

Even the Black Heavenly Lotus, with its wickedness, had a certain dignity, but this Sima Kang was a man of the same level of power as Mu Huang, yet his every action was as childish as a fool’s.

This was why a fool locked in a room could be dangerous.

Cho Hwi could not help but shudder, thinking about how Sima Kang had been raised in a family isolated for centuries, brainwashed into believing their family was the greatest in the Central Plains and that they had ended the Northern Sea War.

Finally, Cho Hwi had no choice but to use his trump card.

“Please leave the Cho Gadaesanghoe.”

“…What?” Sima Kang’s face twisted in confusion.

“Why is someone who hasn’t received an invitation to Cho Gadaesanghoe still standing before me?”

Was Cho Hwi really talking about the invitation to the Sima family right now?

It was clear that Cho Hwi intended to humiliate Sima Kang in front of the assembled martial artists of the Jianghu, by deliberately shouting out in a loud voice.

As anger rapidly rose in Sima Kang, a powerful aura began to emanate from his body. But before he could make a move, the Divine Sword Master finally intervened.

“Mu Liang Shubul, Sima family head, please calm down.”

At the stern warning of the world’s top expert, Sima Kang had no choice but to furrow his brows in displeasure.

Here, in this place, the only one who could truly break through and understand the essence of things was the Divine Sword Master.

But still, Sima Kang was a Sima!

Even if the Heavenly Mountain was mighty, the name of the martial god could not be bent.

“Even the Heavenly Mountain is a sword school of the Central Plains! Are you saying you would stand with the Northern Sea’s side?” Sima Kang bellowed.

The Divine Sword Master, Dan Cheon Yang, sighed deeply.

“Mu Liang Shubul, that is not what I meant. I am simply concerned with the safety of the Sima family.”

“Concerned with the safety of the Sima family?” Sima Kang asked sharply.

Did he mean to say that Heavenly Mountain would now move against the Sima family if the mediation wasn’t accepted?

Just as Sima Kang was about to raise his voice in anger, a calm, clear voice filled with deep intent whispered in his ear.

What? Natural Swordsmanship? Immortal?

Sima Kang looked at Cho Hwi with wide, disbelieving eyes.

There was no doubt that Cho Hwi was an absolute master of overwhelming strength.

As someone who had experienced the martial arts of the Martial Ancestor, Sima Kang could hardly accept these words.

Having only reached the initial stages of the Absolute Realm himself, he had never even dreamed of reaching the level of the Immortal, a place he could never touch.

But the following words from the Divine Sword Master were even more astonishing.

Wipe out the entire Heavenly Mountain with a single sword?

This was unimaginable! The level of Natural Swordsmanship was truly beyond comprehension.

Sima Kang could hardly believe his ears as he turned to the Divine Sword Master, whose half-closed eyes nodded in agreement.

“Mu Liang Shubul…”

The Divine Sword Master, the world’s greatest expert, had spoken.

At last, Sima Kang, believing the weight of those words, made his decision.

“Jungcheonsuho, retreat!”

At Sima Kang’s sudden declaration, all the Jianghu masters watching could hardly believe their eyes.

Did the great and proud Sima family really retreat at the mere words of Cho Hwi?

It was an unprecedented moment in history!

And just like that, the massive White Tiger Banner began to turn, and the Sima family’s procession started to retrace its steps.

At that moment, the sounds of groaning from the people around seemed to echo everywhere as they recognized the reality.

“Ha… that Sa Ma family…”
“Amitabha…”

In this harsh martial world, where the logic of power reigns supreme, people knew very well what it meant to bow their heads even once.

Now, the Sa Ma family could no longer assert their arrogance under the flag of the Jo Ga Daesang Conference.

However, at that moment…

Mu Huang stared at Jo Hwi with a rigid expression.

“The alliance (meng) cannot accept the North Sea.”

Jo Hwi turned toward him sharply, his face full of annoyance.

“Why, what is it now, Lord Meng?”

Mu Huang’s eyes grew even more serious.

“Either exile that woman to the North Sea or hand her over to the alliance. If the Jo Ga Daesang Conference cannot make a decision between these two, there will be no alliance with us.”

“Ha…”

Jo Hwi sighed deeply.

The stubborn old men of the righteous sects had been nothing but trouble since they arrived, making things difficult from the beginning, always looking for ways to cause problems.

It was impossible to tell if they had come to offer congratulations or to provoke a fight.

Though Jo Hwi was known for his strong will, even he felt his patience starting to wear thin.

“That’s enough. I’m really getting angry now. Keep it up, and I won’t hold back.”

But Mu Huang showed no signs of backing down on this matter.

“Such excessive confidence.”

“This isn’t a matter of confidence, is it? How can the alliance treat this as a trivial issue? We agreed on an alliance, and now you’re asking for it to be broken over something like this?”

“Hah, you call this a trivial issue? You think the alliance, even though merciful, would tolerate the North Sea? The scars of the Xie Wei War still run deep in Zhongyuan.”

Jo Hwi snapped in frustration.

“Ha! Then tell me what to do. I must have that young lady. What must I do for the alliance to accept her?”

It was at that moment that Mu Huang revealed his true intentions.

“Come under the alliance’s roof.”

The meaning was clear: give up the equal status of the alliance and submit to the Meng.

At this moment, Mu Huang was attempting to overturn all the negotiations Jo Hwi had made with Dan Baek Woo.

Jo Hwi’s burning gaze turned toward Dan Baek Woo.

“Didn’t you convey our agreement to the lord of the Meng?”

Mu Huang answered instead.

“Yes, I received the message, but the contents were extremely unfavorable for the alliance.”

“Ha…”

“Officially, there has been no correspondence between the Meng and the Jo Ga Daesang Conference. Since there is no official agreement, talking about breaking the agreement is inappropriate.”

Mu Huang was digging into the flaw that the agreement between Jo Hwi and Dan Baek Woo had only been a verbal one, made behind closed doors. But this was the conduct of the Meng’s Inspector General, a position not to be taken lightly.

“Do you think of my subordinates as fools? Fine. Then I’ll show you why the Inspector General, who knows only the Meng, had to make such an agreement.”

Having already been briefed on the entire conversation between Jo Hwi and the Inspector General, Mu Huang’s eyes gleamed coldly.

“Are you saying you would even risk fighting the Meng?”

Jo Hwi would likely break off the alliance with the Meng and join forces with another dangerous organization like the Three Path Celestial Sect (Sa Cheon Hoe), or perhaps unite all the sword sects under his name, eventually splitting the righteous sects in two.

But would the Meng allow such defiance?

However, Jo Hwi’s answer was completely unexpected.

“No. The Meng’s power is shaking the entire world. Why would I risk a war with the Meng?”

“Then are you planning to ally with the Three Path Celestial Sect?”

Jo Hwi smiled slyly.

“Do you have proof that the Jo Ga Daesang Conference has allied with the Three Path Celestial Sect? Can the Meng really find such evidence?”

Mu Huang frowned.

“What do you mean… are you?”

“If you throw me out into the open, I’ll have no choice but to hide in the shadows.”

In an instant, Mu Huang was filled with a chill that ran through his spine.

With his deft skills and cunning strategies, the supreme ruler of the business world had swallowed up the entire An Hui and Jiangxi regions in under a decade. Now, here he was, declaring the path of the underground business world in front of the Meng’s leader.

The difference between an ordinary merchant and a dark merchant was vast.

If such a genius, with his overwhelming intellect, decided to reorganize the Jo Ga Daesang Conference’s appearance and infiltrate the underground business world…

He would undoubtedly control the world from the shadows.

The mere thought of this sent a shiver down Mu Huang’s spine.

“Let’s consider the faction war of the Jo Ga Daesang Conference as nonexistent. Gentlemen of the martial world, the faction war of the Jo Ga Daesang Conference has been canceled…”

Mu Huang swiftly sealed Jo Hwi’s mouth, silencing him.

“You… you brat!”

Jo Hwi flared up, pushing Mu Huang’s hand away.

“Ha! So now we’re really going all in on the personal insults?”

Mu Huang, the revered Qing Yun Jin, had always tried to live without hatred after reaching the honored title of True Man (Zhen Ren), the highest honor in Taoism.

But today, all of that effort seemed to crumble before Jo Hwi’s actions.

Mu Huang glared at him with a cold, sinister gaze.

Then a low voice whispered in Jo Hwi’s ear.

“… So what exactly do you want me to do? If I accept the North Sea, do you think they will follow the Meng? There is no justification for accepting the North Sea! Justification!”

Indeed, Mu Huang had his own difficult position.

Though Mu Huang muttered his words softly so only Zho Hui could hear, the voice was thunderous in the ears of Dan Cheon Yang, the legendary sword master standing nearby.

“Amita Buddha… Do you, Lord Dojo, know how the former legendary figure of the martial world, the Fox Claw Demoness, was able to break away from the debts of the world?”

“The Fox Claw Demoness?” Zho Hui recalled her vaguely from the martial world records.

She was the notorious monster of the demonic faction, having ruthlessly killed numerous top martial artists. Her signature technique, the Ghost Fox Demon Claw, was so formidable that it was said there were few in the martial world who could match her.

Her past, drenched in blood and hatred, was saved by none other than the righteous man, Lord Jeong Hyup Goon. Originally a member of the martial alliance’s Exorcising Evil Squad, his task was to hunt down the Fox Claw Demoness.

But the more he pursued her, the more he began to understand her tragic past. Eventually, he fell in love with her and married her, declaring it publicly and even cutting off his own arm as a symbol of his commitment.

Even though the martial world was harsh and often indifferent to personal matters, Jeong Hyup Goon’s action of cutting off his arm to show his resolve made it impossible for the righteous sects to dismiss him.

As Zho Hui was deep in thought, he suddenly widened his eyes in surprise.

“Are you… suggesting that I should marry her and cut off my own arm?”

“Amita Buddha… When a woman marries, it means she forgets her family name and belongs to her husband’s family,” Mu Huang replied solemnly.

Only then did Zho Hui realize the gravity of the situation.

Marriage to Han Seol Hyun meant that if anyone in the martial world later targeted her, it wouldn’t be aimed at the North Sea, but at “the wife of the Sword God.” It would become an issue of attacking someone already bound to a family, making it an illogical and unjust act to pursue an old grudge from her own family’s past.

Zho Hui slowly turned to face Han Seol Hyun, his gaze deeply focused. Their eyes met, and although it was unlikely she could have heard their conversation amid all the chaos, Han Seol Hyun seemed to feel the intensity of Zho Hui’s gaze, her face flushing.

At that moment, Zho Hui’s voice boomed like a lion’s roar, filled with determination.

“I, Zho Hui, the 23rd descendant of the Cao family, second son of the Sun family, officially propose to Han Seol Hyun of the Snow Wind Cold Family!”

The declaration of Zho Hui reverberated through the entire hall, stunning the veteran members of the old factions.

All eyes turned toward Han Seol Hyun.

She was left dumbfounded, her mind going blank.

A proposal in front of hundreds or even thousands of people? This was something she had never even dreamed of. She didn’t know how to respond, and her words were all tangled up in confusion.

“Ah… ahhh… I don’t know… No, no… I… I…” she stammered, utterly overwhelmed.

Just as her heart raced with nerves and she struggled to keep her composure, a sharp voice cut through the air.

“Hey, you! Of course, you should reject him! Reject him right now!”

With a fierce, twisted expression, Jin Ga Hee, who had been approaching at an incredible speed, wielding a whip, suddenly appeared before her.

Seeing Ga Hee’s pale and ghostly face, Han Seol Hyun’s rationality snapped back into place.

“…I will accept!” she shouted suddenly.

The hall, which had been filled with murmurs and astonishment, fell silent.

“I accept the proposal!” Han Seol Hyun declared with a sudden burst of clarity.

Jin Ga Hee, who had been rushing toward her with fury in her eyes, froze on the spot, her expression contorted in rage.

“…Damn! Damn it!” Ga Hee collapsed onto the floor, sobbing uncontrollably.

Her head hung low, her long hair draped over her face as she cried like a haunting wail. The sight sent a chill down everyone’s spine.

As the room quaked with the intensity of the moment, even Zho Hui’s face froze with a shudder, his skin crawling as he looked at Mu Huang.

“Well, there’s the justification you wanted. It’s done,” Zho Hui said coldly.

Mu Huang, still in a daze, struggled to comprehend the scene. Eventually, he broke the silence, his voice booming across the hall.

“The descendant of the North Sea has finally become the wife of the Small Sword God. From now on, the martial world shall no longer speak of her past or grudges against her!”

A soft sob from Han Seol Hyun could be heard as she processed the weight of the situation, the guilt and conflicting emotions overwhelming her. As a descendant of the North Sea, she could not deny her heritage, nor could she easily ignore the legacy of her ancestors.

However, this complicated decision had clearly disturbed her own mind, as it would undoubtedly interfere with Zho Hui’s future ambitions.

Just as everything seemed to settle, another decision from Zho Hui was announced from the podium.

“Year 1262 of the Martial Calendar! I, Zho Hui, declare the opening of the Cao Family’s sect!”

A declaration of authority, speaking of the martial world’s rule, Zho Hui claimed the title and declared the beginning of a new era, challenging the entire martial world to abide by the rule of the “Martial Calendar.”

This moment was Zho Hui asserting his power, something no one could ignore.

The long trumpet sound echoed through the air, signaling the entrance of the Cao Family’s Tianwu Corps into the arena.

*Clack clack clack!*

With disciplined steps, the Tianwu Corps entered, their impressive presence undeniable. Their dazzling armor, the Yonglin armor, gleamed brilliantly. The ensemble included iron armguards, steel helmets, and the Cao family’s famed steel swords, making them a picture of perfect military readiness.

Hanging from their belts were a variety of expensive items, including auxiliary weapons, signal flares, smoke bombs, and more, all visible at a glance.

Following them, a long procession of goods from the Cao Family began to enter, carried on large carts. Leading the parade was the Cheonun carriage, famous for its craftsmanship, followed by high-quality military goods, labor vehicles, Snowflake Spirit Liquor, Frozen Wine, and various other Cao Family products, all beautifully arranged for display.

As the parade finished its course, Cao Hui raised his clenched fist high into the sky.

– “Cao Family! I, Cao Hui, will make the martial world prosperous once again! I will prove that there is a great way in commerce just as there is in martial arts!”

With Cao Hui’s declaration of the founding of the Cao Family’s new faction, and his resolve as its leader, hundreds of attendants began to set up tables filled with food and drink across the courtyard. Simultaneously, fireworks were launched into the sky, marking the festive occasion.

*Boom boom boom!*

The grand opening of the factional competition finally began.

—

*Burp!*

*Burp burp!*

The sounds of burping echoed from all directions.

The distinguished martial artists who had tasted the dark tea were all stunned, their eyes wide in disbelief. A feeling of indescribable satisfaction spread from the top of their heads to their toes, a refreshment so shocking that they couldn’t process it properly.

The leader of the Longquan Sect, Ma Ye-pyeong, stood up abruptly after chewing a Meat Bun (육겹면포), tears in his eyes. The Kunlun sword master, Gon Runnok, could only let out strange screams after downing a cup of Snowflake Spirit Liquor.

Even the legendary warrior, the Unparalleled King of Martial Arts, Peng Yul-cheon, was chugging down the Frozen Wine without hesitation.

The scene had turned into a chaotic, frenzied party.

With all the uproar, the solemn atmosphere of the factional competition evaporated, replaced by screams of excitement and astonishment.

At this point, the ones most flustered were the monks of the Shaolin and Wudang schools.

The martial philosophies of the Huashan and Kunlun sects, representing the Middle Way, had long permitted their disciples to consume meat and alcohol. However, Shaolin and Wudang still adhered strictly to the precepts forbidding such things. As a result, all they could indulge in at this event were the cold tea and dark tea.

Especially the monks of Shaolin, who found themselves entranced by the Meat Bun placed before them, unable to look away.

Cao Hui, looking around the venue with satisfaction, suddenly spotted someone that caught his attention.

‘Huh? That monk?’

The monk who caught Cao Hui’s eye was a short, stocky monk from Shaolin that Cao Hui had seen before. This monk’s martial arts were renowned for their loud, commanding voice. If he continued to grow, he would certainly master one of Shaolin’s greatest techniques, the Lion’s Roar.

A promising martial artist, the loudest in the martial world!

Now, he was sitting before a Meat Bun, repeatedly swallowing saliva in anticipation.

Cao Hui quietly approached him.

“Hello. I think we’ve met before?”

The monk, startled, quickly put his hands together in greeting, his face turning bright red with embarrassment.

“Ah, Amitabha! I am honored to meet the Small Sword God!”

This was the very person who had inherited the legacy of the famed sword god! Moreover, he had witnessed Cao Hui’s remarkable actions in opposing the Sima family, so his face was filled with awe.

“May I ask your Dharma name?”

“My Dharma name is Hyeung.”

Hyeung, answering in a humble and respectful manner, seemed almost endearing. Cao Hui felt a strange sense of fondness, as if he wanted to pat his shiny bald head.

“By the way, are you about to go on a pilgrimage soon?”

In Shaolin, monks would go on pilgrimage to the secular world at a set time, both to experience life in the world and to spread the teachings of Buddhism.

“Ah! I will be going on pilgrimage after this year!”

“Ooh!”

Cao Hui, now in a good mood, squinted his eyes and asked, “Would you be interested in a temporary job after you finish your pilgrimage?”

“A job?” Hyeung asked, confused.

Cao Hui smiled warmly, “Pilgrimage is all about wandering from house to house, begging for food, isn’t it? It’s not easy to receive offerings from people…”

“Amitabha! That’s disrespectful!”

The act of receiving food through begging is a solemn and sacred part of a monk’s life, symbolizing offering their life and devotion to the Buddha. Cao Hui’s comment seemed to trivialize this, likening it to just begging for food, which was seen as highly disrespectful.

“Disrespectful? But if you think about it, isn’t it true? A famous Shaolin monk wandering around asking for food—does that really make sense?”

“…”

While his words seemed to be playful, there was an odd discomfort in Hyeung’s chest. As a Shaolin monk, he took immense pride in his discipline and practices, but today, for the first time, he felt like he was being treated like a beggar.

Cao Hui, seeing the awkwardness on Hyeung’s face, casually placed his arm over the monk’s shoulder and lowered his voice.

“Let’s go somewhere quieter.”

“Sh, Shijou?”

“Oh? As expected, you’re no ordinary person. I hear the external skills of Shaolin are unparalleled!”

“Heh.”

With his skillful rhetoric, Choi Hui effortlessly led Hyeung, the monk, to follow him, as he lifted his spirits.

Soon, Choi Hui led Hyeung to a shadowed corner beneath a building and his eyes sparkled.

“It takes three years for a trainee monk to engrain the Buddhist teachings and cultivate the precepts. It takes seven years to rise above the rank of a monk and become a martial monk. It can take forever to learn the complete Shaolin martial arts. This is what I know of Shaolin—am I wrong?”

“….”

Hyeung only blinked in response.

“Even if you eventually become a Na Han and enter the Na Han Hall, so what? The Na Han Gong? The Na Han Qi Gong?”

“Wh, what’s wrong with Na Han Qi Gong?”

Choi Hui’s eyes widened.

“Well, didn’t they say you can’t engage in self-pleasure? After all that hardship, you’re only allowed to practice the ‘Tong Zi Gong,’ where you lose your essence and it’s all over if you lose it? Isn’t that too cruel?”

“….”

Hyeung had never thought about such things after joining Shaolin. Once he received his Buddhist name, he was bound by Shaolin’s rules, and he couldn’t even think of marrying a woman.

But as Choi Hui vehemently criticized Shaolin’s monks, Hyeung, in a strangely unfair way, felt himself nodding along.

“Even if Na Han Qi Gong is effective for cultivating inner strength, it’s pushing the disciples into hell. Honestly, didn’t they ever….?”

“Ever what?”

Ah, such innocent eyes!

Choi Hui looked into those naïve eyes, almost feeling like he might start crying himself.

“Forget it. You spend decades meticulously practicing Shaolin martial arts and finally make it into the martial world, and then you’re told to beg for food? You should be given travel expenses, not treated like this! Shaolin is the best in the world? Bah!”

Hyeung turned around in panic, looking around.

“Pl, please lower your voice, Shijou!”

“Why? Did I say something wrong?”

“Amitabha, please!”

Choi Hui angrily rummaged through his clothes and pulled out a small flask containing Han Bing Jiu (Cold Liquor).

He gulped it down.

“Hah… Go ahead, take a sip.”

“Excuse me?”

“No, it’s not even hot. Drink a whole glass.”

Gulp.

Although the liquid went down, his mind refused to accept it.

While some monks from the countryside might drink alcohol, no Shaolin monk would ever indulge in alcohol. Their strict rules forbade it.

“Drinking is forbidden!” Hyeung declared firmly.

“There’s no one here.”

Hyeung, with a serious face, frowned.

“The teachings of the Buddha are deeply engraved in my heart. How could I do something irreverent just because no one is watching?”

“Reverent? Heh, alcohol is food too. Isn’t that the problem with your precepts? What do you think this drink is made of? Rice! Shaolin must consider harvesting rice as killing life too, right?”

Hyeung was stunned by Choi Hui’s logic, and just as he was about to protest, Choi Hui shoved the flask toward his mouth.

“Amitabha…!”

Gulp!

The refreshing liquid slid down Hyeung’s throat.

His eyes widened in disbelief.

This was the first time he had ever experienced such a taste. The cool sensation quickly turned into a warming fire inside his body.

The heat spread, making his body tingle, and soon, the buzz of intoxication overwhelmed him.

Drunk people tend to become bolder.

Hyeung, now fully intoxicated, took the flask and drank heartily, as though he were one of Pang Ga’s muscular men.

“Gulp gulp!”

“Hah!”

After drinking, Hyeung suddenly began crying.

Shaolin’s vegetarian meals only had a bit of salt, with no seasoning at all. Some people might praise this as the best food, but to him, it was nonsense.

This was the insane balance of salty and sweet flavors!

The rich, juicy taste filled his mouth.

As soon as he chewed, a storm of flavor overwhelmed him, and he almost passed out from the taste.

Now, he understood why other martial artists would cry upon first tasting the six-layered meat bun.

His life had been unfair. He had lived in the mountains all his life, thinking that the only taste he could experience was salt.

Choi Hui, watching Hyeung, smiled with satisfaction.

“When you go on your begging rounds, come find us at the Jo Ga Dae Sang Hoe. I’ll make sure you can practice in comfort.”

“My practice?”

Choi Hui nodded enthusiastically.

“Yes, I’ll provide unlimited meat buns, black tea, and cold liquor. But in return—”

“In return?”

“We have a position open in our publicity department, just for the duration of your begging rounds.”

He grinned.

Hyeung was known as a human loudspeaker. If he set up a stall and shouted, it would definitely sell out in no time.

Hyeung, feeling embarrassed, shook his head.

“Amitabha, I’m a Shaolin monk… bound by the precepts. I cannot engage in commercial activities.”

“Oh, that’s easily solved with a wig and a human-skin mask!”

“Wig… and a human-skin mask?”

“Of course! Our human-skin masks are expertly crafted. Even the most experienced martial artists can’t easily tell the difference. Plus, as a practitioner, you’ll gain valuable experience, won’t you?”

“Amitabha…”

At this point, it seemed Hyeung was already halfway there.

Choi Hui quickly pulled out a contract from his clothes.

“I’ll make sure your monthly salary is generous. Please sign here and here.”

“Ah, understood. *Hiccup*!”

Hyeung, still in a daze, took the pen and signed the contract.

As Choi Hui looked over Hyeung’s signature with a bright smile, he said, “Haha, Director Hye!”

“Director Hye?”

“You’ll understand later. See you soon!”

Choi Hui, already walking away, left Hyeung behind, still stunned, and continued to gather talented individuals.

In a time of manpower shortages, this was a golden opportunity he couldn’t afford to miss.

Now that he could no longer participate in the Dragon Tournament, Choi Hui would make sure to gather as many talents as possible.

His colleagues, including Zhang Yilong and Zhuge Yun, were already working in secret to recruit talent, making the most of this moment.

And so, amidst the lively festivities of the Gangho (martial world), the many monks and agents of the Jo Ga Dae Sang Hoe were born.