The Author's POV

"...I want you to teach me martial body. Your family four stars and a half martial technique."

A rather awkward atmosphere enshrouded the place as Han Yufei's calm and composed face finally crumbled.

Even when we were fighting his face had never once changed this much. It was clear that he was extremely shocked by my request.

"...Are you making fun of me?"

Han Yufei suddenly stood up as he sharply glared in my direction.

A threatening aura sprung out from his body, shrouding the whole room.

"You think that just because I surrendered in the tournament, that I'm now a pushover?"

His voice was becoming increasingly louder with each word he said.

Pushing my hands down, I tried to calm him down.

"No, I don't think that at all. Calm down and listen to me."

But that didn't seem to work as Han Yufei got even more riled up.

"Calm down? ...how do you expect me to calm down when you just asked me to teach you our family's most prestigious art? Do I look like a joke to you?"

"Of course, I know what I asked was outrageous, but I obviously have something of equivalent value in exchange."

"...Eh?"

Han Yufei suddenly froze.

"What did you just say?"

Finally gaining Han Yufei's attention, I continued.

"What I'm trying to say is that I'm willing to exchange something of equal value with you in order for you to teach me the martial technique. In fact, you can also say that it's actually a notch above what you're going to teach me."

"A notch above?"

Han Yufeis's brows furrowed at my last words. He was obviously not convinced. I smiled at his doubt.

"Yeah, I can offer you something even better than your family martial arts."

Han Yufei sat back down.

His eyes were filled with interest.

'Got him.'

I thought as I inwardly smiled to myself.

Just by looking at his eyes, I could tell that I had gained his interest. This was all I wanted.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Tapping on the table with my right hand, I remained silent for a couple of seconds. Staring at Han Yufei who was looking back at me, I only spoke up once I noticed that he was about to lose patience.

"In exchange for you teaching me your martial technique, I will give you a five-star manual."

The room froze at my words as Han Yufei was unable to process what I just said.

But it didn't take too long for him to finally understand what I said as his eyes shot wide open. Standing up and smacking the palm of his hand on the table, he leaned forward.

"Did you just say five-star martial manual?!"

His voice cracked a little as he said those words.

It was clear that he was still in disbelief by my proposal.

Staring at him from my seat, I nodded back.

"Yeah. I will give you a five-star manual in exchange for your family art. That simple."

'The Gravar style'

I was planning

had this plan in mind whenever I saw Han Yufei. The Gravar style, although

Han Yufei was not a sword user, Han Yufei wished nothing more

clans were quite powerful, and there was

a five-star sword manual, the chances of his clan rising to

his martial manual, but I was also

to fall into deep thought. But it wasn't long before he managed

can you prove to me

at his question. I had long seen

"It's simple really."

from my

can sign a

'mana contract' escaped from my mouth, all doubts seemed to have been dispelled

"Let me see it."

in front

"Hm?"

he was looking through it, his brows which had previously relaxed furrowed

then proceeded to put the paper

not a

"No, it's not."

I shook my head.

any

you can be the one who provides it. I'm sure you will feel like it's more secure if you are the one that makes the

wasn't impossible to replicate a

there that had been duped by fake mana contracts, and so, by allowing him to provide the mana contract, I was essentially showing

reality, a mana contract of that caliber was just too

just couldn't afford it at the

"I see."

Han Yufei bought the excuse as he thoughtfully nodded his head. Then, taking the paper back, he continued to

myself when I saw

"...eh?"

again, Han Yufei put the paper down and pointed toward a certain

mercenary group as a member for five years before

"Ah, that."

back of

my mercenary group. I made it this way since what I'm offering is actually of higher

"What!?"

Han Yufei stood up.

Do you

course, I know." I

keeping close watch of ever since transmigrating into this wolrd. Of course, I know who

in Lock, age twenty years, son of Han Gaye, current head of the Han clan, and current Heir of

appeared on Han Yufeis's face as I recounted all the information I knew

shock did not last for long

this, why are you asking me

words were filled with confusion

merely smiled at his

going, you won't become the head until you're

"..."

Yufei's face turned

knew that my words held some

live over two hundred years of age, it would still take quite a long time

he kept on waiting, he was essentially going to be losing a lot of time

lacked was real experience, and I

join me, I can guarantee you that

in myself as I

a great teacher, but I definitely knew the right places to help my

mercenary group were a far cry from where they were in the past. If he joined, I

wanted to at least have a solid relationship with him

would massively boost my influence in

finished saying what I wanted to

had already said everything that I wanted to say. Whether he wanted to accept my offer or

Raising his head and

"I..."

***

time,

is

her head and gazing at a small holographic map, Emmas scratched the back