Chapter 509: Chapter 314: At Last the Spirit Fox, Huang Lu Ahead, White-faced Red Bow, Fish on the Hook (Part 3)

Gu Nianjun asked, "Young Hero Zhou, how... how did you achieve that?" Li Xian laughed, "It’s quite strange, clearly it was your shot, why ask me how it was done?"

Gu Nianjun raised an eyebrow and said, "I am aware of my own limits; with Nianjun’s archery, perhaps I could hit the target, but to kill, or pierce two with one arrow, that’s difficult. When you touched the bow, everything changed. But how it changed, I can’t say. Good Young Hero, please explain."

Li Xian said, "It’s intention and energy. When intention and energy merge into the arrow, naturally anything is possible, and archery transcends." Gu Nianjun asked, "How do you merge intention and energy into an arrow?"

Li Xian said, "Even I can’t explain; you need to comprehend it yourself. If there’s a chance again, you may slowly grasp it. If you don’t, it’s hard for me to help. Archery is quite profound indeed."

Gu Nianjun asked respectfully, "Then Young Hero Zhou, how did you train to achieve such archery skills? Is there a trick? Or has a famous master guided you?" Li Xian said, "I practiced randomly, hardly worthy of high art. Maybe slightly better than peers’ skills. If there’s a trick, it’s daily rigorous practice, just following the natural course leads to today’s achievement."

When Gu Nianjun heard the phrase ’following the natural course’, she realized Li Xian’s inherent talent in archery was terrifyingly exceptional. She admired him more deeply, yet felt a slight regret for not seeing him shoot. She continued, "According to Nianjun’s knowledge, even when archery is at its peak, imbuing each shot with intention and energy is exceedingly difficult. It depends on circumstance, mindset, as well as luck and timing... You... Hey! You!"

As Gu Nianjun spoke, Li Xian had already walked towards the Winter Ghost King and Cold Heron King. Gu Nianjun stamped her foot in frustration, gritting teeth, glaring at Li Xian with a charmingly angry pout, feeling neglected for the first time, but helplessly following, emotions led by him.

"This Young Hero Zhou is too indifferent to me. If it were someone else, I’d ignore them. But he... he truly stands out, so be it, I’ll accommodate him."

The Winter Ghost King and Cold Heron King were already dead, their blood pale blue, mixing stench with fragrance. Li Xian confirmed the two snow beasts were deceased and asked, "How much are these beasts worth?"

Gu Nianjun said, "More than a thousand taels, as the snow beast kings are quite rare and inherently valuable." Li Xian said, "I’ll take six, you four. I want six hundred taels." Gu Nianjun said, "Alright, if you don’t mind, I can help you sell them."

Li Xian felt a stirring in his heart, "That would be great. I have no power or influence, and lack connections, always beaten down on price. This Gu Nianjun seems well-connected, even able to get Mountain Charts. Her assistance would indeed be helpful." He nodded, "Thanks a lot, I must mention, when selling the snow beasts, please refrain..."

Initially intending to say not to mention him, but midway thinking, though snow beasts are precious, they’re merely unusual wild beasts. Taking advantage of the Snow Mountain’s terrain was especially difficult to kill. Neither heavenly material nor earthly treasure, purely shooting to kill indeed counts as "formidable". But if not solely by archery, hunting is challenging, yet First Realm Martial Artists, Second Realm Martial Artists... or well-prepared hunters setting traps, might have the capability to kill. Saying not to mention his name might seem like drawing undue attention, making a small task seem crucial.

He chuckled self-deprecatingly, choosing not to proceed further.

Gu Nianjun’s eyes twinkled as she stored the Winter Ghost King and Cold Heron King’s bodies into the Shrinking Flesh Bag. The two then searched for the Spirit Fox; finding no clues at the Beast Sacrificial Platform. As the day grew late, they walked back together.

Several miles outside the city gates, they parted ways, agreeing to meet again the following day.

Gu Nianjun watched Li Xian depart, returning to Cui Zhu Residence joyously, her brows smiling. She headed straight to the inner courtyard to greet Fu Haoran. In the inner courtyard were He Wentian, Zhou Shijie, and Li Xiaofan, each holding a book studying.

Zhou Shijie asked, "Nianjun, where have you been? You missed a treat for your ears today." Gu Nianjun dismissively asked, "What treat for the ears?" Li Xiaofan said, "Madam Wang visited earlier, with profound knowledge, commenting on the master’s paintings remarkably. We gained much. Even the master praised her as having knowledge as vast as the sea."

He Wentian smiled and asked, "Indeed. Miss Gu, I see you’re in a good mood. How was your gain today?"

Gu Nianjun laughed, "Just the usual harvest, not worth mentioning. Nianjun will excuse herself for now, having walked the mountain for a day, I need to bathe. Excuse me for leaving." With that, she turned and left.

Zhou Shijie felt unusual, "Typically, Nianjun would ask about the paintings or critiques, why seems she different today?" Li Xiaofan said, "I see Sister Gu shy as a flower, like when I picked up silver."

He Wentian laughed silently, "Miss Gu excels in martial arts and culture, so picking up silver wouldn’t make her this happy. Maybe she’s found an unconfirmed suitor." Zhou Shijie’s mind drifted, unable to let it go, but had nowhere to inquire, leaving him to suppress it in his heart.

Returning to her room, Gu Nianjun removed her boots and collar shirt... soaking in warm water, she felt her spirit relax. Suddenly recalling something, she rose to get the bow, leaving a trail of footprints splashing warm water along the way, she drew an empty string, recalling her recent sensations.

That rush of spirit soaring to the sky was hard to regain. She sighed quietly, placing the bow back before returning to the bath. Yet the scene lingered in her mind.

In those times, the Great Wu Dynasty’s ancestors established themselves as "Archers", founding a flourishing dynasty. The Great Wu emphasized martial arts, civility, and also "archery". Every aristocratic family conducted winter and spring hunting rituals.

Archery was both a technique of striking foes and a ceremonial art.

Gu Nianjun had no mind for bathing anymore; after changing clothes, she immediately went out. Zhou Shijie had been waiting at the side door, seeing Gu Nianjun’s figure, he promptly walked over to ask, "Nianjun, it’s already dark, where are you going?"