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'

the five-star manual that I was planning

plan in mind whenever I saw Han Yufei. The Gravar style, although powerful, was practically useless to

Han Yufei wished nothing more than for his

there was a lot

the chances of

style, I wasn't just trying to get his martial manual, but I was also trying

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

me that

at his question. I had long seen it

"It's simple really."

from my dimensional space, I slid it

can sign a

all doubts seemed to have been dispelled from Han Yufei's head as his brows

"Let me see it."

piece of paper in front of him, Han

"Hm?"

was looking through it, his brows which had previously relaxed

to put the paper

not a mana

"No, it's not."

I shook my head.

voice any

I want to propose for the deal. Regarding the mana contract, you can be the one who provides

impossible to replicate

contracts, and so, by allowing him to provide the mana contract, I was essentially showing

In reality, a mana contract of that caliber was just too

afford it

"I see."

he thoughtfully nodded his head. Then, taking the paper

smiled to myself

"...eh?"

once again, Han Yufei put the paper down and pointed toward

group as a member for five years before he is free to

"Ah, that."

the back of

five years, you will join my mercenary group. I made it this

"What!?"

Han Yufei stood up.

your mercenary group? Do you know who I

know."

of the people I have been keeping close watch of ever since transmigrating into this wolrd. Of

ranked fifth in Lock, age twenty years, son of Han Gaye, current head of

face as I recounted all the

did not last for long as he quickly calmed himself

of this, why are you asking me to

were filled

merely smiled at his

going, you won't become

"..."

face turned ugly

he didn't answer back. He knew that my words

now being able to live over two hundred years of age, it would still take quite a long time for him to

going to be losing a lot of time waiting for something that would happen a few decades

was real experience, and I could provide that

If you join me, I can

confidence in myself as I

may not be a great teacher, but I definitely knew the right places to help my members

were in the past. If he joined, I didn't once doubt

the real goal was to gain his trust. If in the future he planned to leave, I wanted to at least have a solid relationship with him so

massively boost my influence in the human

as I finished saying what I wanted to say,

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

for long. Raising his head and meeting my eyes, Han Yufei opened his

"I..."

***

time, in a different

is the

Kevin looked at Emma. Lowering her head and gazing at a small holographic map,