"Jade-Folding Hand," Sun Yuanying

"Have you seen any Blackwater Fruit when you hunted this Blackwater Strange Serpent, Brother-in-law? According to the book, the fruit is worth no less than the serpent!"

Ning Mu closed the book and casually asked Zhao Er another question.

It was not greed. She was simply worried that her brother-in-law might not recognize it, or might have neglected to search the surroundings and missed it.

"I didn't hunt this Blackwater Strange Serpent alone. We each took what we needed!"

"Mm, that's still a fine haul."

"Sister-in-law, this book of yours..."

"This book came from my family's collection. It records some relatively common Variant Beasts and spirit materials. Since you spend so much time in the mountains, you ought to learn more about them. I brought it out to give it to you."

"Thank you, Sister-in-law!"

"Mm, let's get back to this Blackwater Strange Serpent."

After handing the book to Zhao Er, Ning Mu looked at the Blackwater Strange Serpent again. This time, she was no longer afraid. Instead, her eyes burned with enthusiasm, as though she were looking at a pile of silver.

"The Blackwater Strange Serpent's blood essence is especially precious, and can help martial artists temper their bodies. Its skin can be made into inner armor, and is worth no less than the blood essence. Even its fangs can be made into concealed weapons. Its bones have medicinal uses, and its meat is exceptionally nourishing for martial artists!"

Ning Mu ran her fingers over the Blackwater Strange Serpent's cold skin as she listed everything it was worth. When she finished, she thought for a moment before continuing:

"If we're going to sell it, we need to sell it to the right people... Among those in the County Town who would want this blood essence and snakeskin most, the Sun Family is bound to be one.

"The Sun Family is renowned for Armor-Making. If they learn that Blackwater Strange Serpent skin is for sale, they certainly won't pass it up. And their lineage's technique, 'Jade-Folding Hand,' is also a rare Body-Tempering Art.

"Most importantly, a Martial Path genius named Sun Yuanying has emerged among the Sun Family's younger generation. They say she has already reached Bone Tempering Great Completion at a very young age.

"Most importantly, the Sun Family is quite wealthy. To compete for a place in the top three in this year's Grand Exam, they'll surely be willing to pay a high price."

Ning Mu was skilled at management—not only managing business, but also cultivating relationships. However, with her lineage's martial artists in decline, the business had never been able to expand, leaving her no room to exercise her talents.

Still, she knew a great deal about the development of the city's various factions. With just a little thought, she had already identified the most suitable buyer. Yet after she finished speaking, a trace of hesitation appeared on her face.

"Sister-in-law! After hunting this Blackwater Strange Serpent, my first thought was to bring it here to my elder brother. So please, say whatever is on your mind."

Zhao Er noticed Ning Mu's hesitation and made his position clear. He had brought the Blackwater Strange Serpent to the Ning Family for help handling it because he trusted his elder brother, so there was no need for her to hold anything back now.

"Heh... Little brother, if all you want is a high price, we can invite other factions to bid as well. But that's likely to offend people and bring a lot of trouble.

"If we only invite the Sun Family, the price won't be as high, but your sister-in-law will certainly handle everything properly. Not only will it spare you trouble, it might even help you establish a connection with the Sun Family."

Standing nearby, Zhao Da understood his wife better. The moment he saw her hesitate, he knew why, so he took over before Ning Mu could speak.

On this matter, the Ning Family's interests naturally aligned with Zhao Er's, and the Ning Family would rather build a friendship with the Sun Family than offend the city's major factions for the sake of silver.

"So that's all it is. I'm not shortsighted either. I'll leave everything to you, Sister-in-law."

Once Zhao Er heard that, he understood. Without hesitation, he cupped his hands toward Ning Mu and left the decision to her.

It was not that he did not want to earn more money. He simply lacked the strength at present, and a connection with the Sun Family would benefit him as well. Through his cooperation with the White Marten this time, the two had also established a foundation of trust.

He believed that with White Marten, a “local,” around, he would surely gain even more from the Clear Radiance Mountains in the future.

"With your assurance, I can rest easy. I'll go make the arrangements now. Husband, take good care of your brother. I'm heading out!"

With Zhao Er's agreement, Ning Mu smiled and went straight out.

After Ning Mu left, Zhao Da began asking Zhao Er about the hunt.

Zhao Er hid nothing from his elder brother and gave him a broad account of the entire process. He merely kept White Marten's involvement somewhat vague and focused on the battle.

Even so, the account set Zhao Da's blood boiling.

Those who practiced martial arts often carried a keen blade in their hearts. The longer they trained, the more they tended to yearn for battle and bloodshed.

But before Zhao Da could ask for more details, Ning Mu returned to the little courtyard with someone.

The newcomer was a woman who walked beside Ning Mu. She wore plain-colored martial attire, and her delicate features carried a heroic air about the brows and eyes.

Yet what drew the eye most was neither her appearance nor her bearing, but her skin, as white as jade. Standing in the sunlight, she was so fair that she seemed to glow, like a figure carved from jade.

“That's Sun Yuanying of the Sun Family.”

Zhao Da leaned close to Zhao Er's ear and spoke softly, then moved aside to make room.

Zhao Er had not expected the Sun Family's martial genius Ning Mu mentioned to be a woman. On second thought, however, it was hardly strange. In this world, strength reigned supreme, and Martial Path cultivation made no distinction between men and women. When nurturing martial artists, lineages gave priority to their own sons and daughters.

Anyone with talent, male or female, would receive special attention.

After entering the little courtyard, Sun Yuanying merely nodded to the two men in greeting, then walked straight to the cart.

Sun Yuanying first circled the cart, then extended two fingers and pinched a horn-like part on the side of the Blackwater Strange Serpent's head.

"Good. The head is sufficiently hard, just as the records describe."

After pinching it, Sun Yuanying nodded in satisfaction.

She can tell how hard it is with just a pinch?

Watching Sun Yuanying's movements, Zhao Er raised his brows. He had hammered it with the Iron Halberd, yet even after the halberd's tip bent, he had failed to pierce the serpent's head.

Thus, seeing Sun Yuanying's actions, Zhao Er could not help muttering inwardly.

Yet... barely had that thought crossed his mind when his eyes flew wide and shock spread across his face. He now understood why she could judge the head's hardness with a mere pinch.

After pinching the serpent's head, Sun Yuanying reached toward its vulnerable spot seven inches down—the very place Zhao Er had battered into a bloody mess with the Iron Halberd.

He saw Sun Yuanying lift one hand slightly. Without any visible exertion, her two white-jade fingers plunged straight down.

"Shhk..."

A soft sound rang out as Sun Yuanying's pale fingers pierced straight into the dark skin that he had only managed to break with great difficulty using the Iron Halberd.

Though only a small section of her fingers sank in, it was enough to leave Zhao Er astonished.