His entire family perished in battle; he rose from the ashes to conquer the world.

Mu Yuan stepped forward, lowered his voice, and his calm eyes were unfathomable, making Fang Yuyan feel inexplicably uneasy.

"Third Sister-in-law, do you want to get rich?"

Fang Yuyan was taken aback. Her shrewd mind raced for a moment before she shook her head and said, "Don't be delusional. You can't possibly acquire money in a short time to save the Mu family... unless..."

"Go ahead and rob it!"

"No, no, no..."

Mu Yuan shook his head repeatedly: "How could I possibly joke about the Mu family's reputation?"

"We can sell salt!"

"Within our jurisdiction lie salt-producing areas approved by Emperor Gaozu of Han..."

Fang Yuyan's eyes instantly sharpened as she stared at Mu Yuan: "Those are poisoned salt!"

"Eating it can cause diarrhea at best, and even death at worst!"

For a moment, she was truly disappointed in Gu Xiu, despite having patiently talked to him for so long.

The result was all nonsense!

"What if," Mu Yuan chuckled coldly, his expression leisurely, "I have a way to refine it?"

Before Fang Yuyan could question him, Mu Yuan had already taken out a brocade pouch from his person, and from the pouch he took out a crumpled piece of paper, which he handed to Fang Yuyan.

"This, this is...?" Fang Yuyan's gaze was drawn to the paper, which was covered with various pipes and containers, seemingly blueprints for some kind of device.

"This blueprint is the capital to start this business," Mu Yuan said calmly. "This material can be refined into high-quality refined salt. Third Sister-in-law, you're an expert in business. I don't need to explain what high-quality refined salt represents, do I? You're really not interested in this business?"

Upon hearing the word "strong liquor," Fang Yuyan's breath hitched. She carefully examined the blueprint, her expression gradually becoming excited.

If what Mu Yuan said is true, that high-quality refined salt can be made from poisonous salt that everyone avoids, then that's incredibly profitable!

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the profit is a hundredfold!

She's been in business since she was a child, so she understands the value all too well.

When she looked up, her eyes were filled with surprise, as if she didn't recognize Mu Yuan, and she looked him up and down repeatedly.

"Brother-in-law, if it's really as you say, then it is indeed the fastest way to make money." Fang Yuyan suddenly smiled, her face brightening.

"However, it's not that I don't trust you, brother-in-law, but I need to arrange for someone to start doing it immediately, if it's really as you say..."

She gently bumped Mu Yuan's chest with the ledger in her hand: "Then I'll take this business! But let's make things clear beforehand, even family members need to keep clear accounts, and I'll keep 30% of the profits."

"Third Sister-in-law, you'll be better able to use the money. I don't want a single penny. I only ask that the soldiers of Xifu be well-fed and watered every day for the next month, so they can fight bravely against the enemy!"

Mu Yuan had anticipated this, narrowing his eyes slightly as he continued, "Our Mu family is located in the southwestern border region. There are plenty of greedy people beyond our borders; those people will definitely not refuse!"

"And we can even monopolize this trade route, this route leading beyond our borders, untouched by the imperial court. Because no one in the world produces salt that is better and cheaper than ours!"

If that's the case, perhaps we can obtain a gold route that continuously supplies the southwest.

We will no longer be hampered by the imperial court!

The Mu family in the southwest, who were originally held by the throat by the imperial court, may have crossed this threshold.

Fang Yuyan was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter, bending over backwards and shaking with mirth, as if she had heard the most beautiful words in the world.

"It's a deal then!"

Her eyes sparkled, and for the first time in her life, she gave Mu Yuan a captivating and alluring smile: "As long as this piece of paper can truly produce top-quality refined salt, I'll do anything to ensure the soldiers have meat at every meal!"

Night falls.

Inside the military camp, the day's hustle and bustle had passed. Apart from the footsteps of the patrolling soldiers, only tranquility remained.

Inside the commander's tent, candlelight blazed brightly.

Mu Yuan curled up on the bed, beads of sweat the size of soybeans rolling down his forehead, his mouth tightly gripping the blankets, not wanting to utter even a groan.

The demise of "Marrow-Sucking Powder" was so cruel and terrifying.

The strength that had sustained him through a day of training suddenly vanished, replaced by pain several times greater than before!

"Ahhh..."

Mu Yuan let out a low sob through his teeth, his eyes wide open, the blood vessels in them menacing.

It hurts too much.

The excruciating pain that pierced his very bones left him with only one thought: he was torn between living and dying.

Every single nerve in his body was focused on one thing: making him feel pain.

He bit his mouth until it bled, and the strong smell of blood almost made him faint. His brain seemed unable to keep up, and his thoughts were in disarray.

Am I... about to die?

No!

I don't want to!

I've always been the one killing others; no one can kill me!

Just as the excruciating pain surged like a flood, overwhelming Mu Yuan with unstoppable force, and his consciousness was about to be shrouded in darkness, a pair of silent footsteps entered.

It has a delicate fragrance.

Su Wanqing carefully carried a bowl of medicinal soup, with Qin Hongxiu and Fang Yuyan anxiously watching behind her.

The three women were stunned by what they saw as soon as they entered the tent.

This man, who stood tall and unyielding in the military camp during the day, now resembled a helpless infant, trembling in pain.

His once clear eyes were now filled with a deathly despair.

"Brother-in-law!"

Qin Hongxiu couldn't help but scream and was about to rush forward when Su Wanqing's clear voice rang out.

"Don't touch him."

Su Wanqing spoke calmly as she walked unhurriedly to the bedside. She placed the bowl of medicine on the table and looked at Mu Yuan: "Shall we continue?"

Qin Hongxiu and Fang Yuyan were stunned.

Continue using the "Marrow-Sucking Powder"? How dare you?

"Second sister-in-law! You have to think of something!" Qin Hongxiu's eyes reddened with anxiety.

Fang Yuyan frowned slightly. Born into a wealthy merchant family, she habitually calculated gains and losses in everything she did. But seeing Mu Yuan's miserable state, she felt a pang of heartache for no reason. This Mu Yuan had just painted a picture for her during the day that would change the commercial prospects of the Southwest, no, it would change the world. She couldn't let him die like this.

After a long while, Mu Yuan slowly opened his mouth, and fresh blood immediately seeped out from the corner of his mouth.

He shifted his head, looking at Su Wanqing with bloodshot eyes.

"I...I'm fine...I'm really fine."

His voice was hoarse, and each word was uttered with unusual difficulty.

"Compared to what needs to be done right now, compared to the survival of the Mu family... my suffering is nothing..."

Su Wanqing looked at him quietly with her beautiful eyes, without saying a word.

Faced with a man whose willpower is frighteningly strong, everything you say seems so powerless.

After saying just a few words, it seemed to have drained all of Mu Yuan's strength, and he was panting heavily.