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'

manual that I was planning

always had this plan in mind whenever I saw Han Yufei. The Gravar

Han Yufei wished nothing more than for his

Chinese clans were quite powerful, and there was a lot

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

trying to get his martial manual, but I was also trying to form a connection

Squinting his eyes, he appeared to fall into deep thought. But

you prove to me that you are

his question. I had long seen

"It's simple really."

from my dimensional

can sign

my mouth, all doubts seemed to have been dispelled from Han Yufei's head as

"Let me see it."

paper in front of him, Han

"Hm?"

his brows

then proceeded to

not a

"No, it's not."

I shook my head.

voice any complaints,

over here are just the terms that I want to propose for the deal. Regarding the mana contract, 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

hard, it wasn't impossible to replicate a mana

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

merely on the surface. In reality, a mana contract of that caliber was just too

couldn't afford

"I see."

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

secretly smiled to myself

"...eh?"

Yufei put the paper down and pointed toward a certain section of

will join Caïssa mercenary group as a member for five years before he is free to leave.' What in the world is

"Ah, that."

the back

my mercenary group. I made it this way since what

"What!?"

Han Yufei stood up.

group? Do you know who

I know."

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

of Han Gaye, current head of the Han

look of shock appeared on Han Yufeis's face as I recounted all the information

for long

of this, why are you asking

filled with confusion and

smiled

you won't become the head until

"..."

Yufei's face turned ugly at my

back. He knew that my words held some truth

over two hundred years of age, it would still take quite a long time for him to actually

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

lacked was real experience, and

can guarantee you that you will

great confidence in myself as

not be a great teacher, but I definitely knew the right

first saw them, the current members of my mercenary group were a far cry from where they were in the past. If he joined, I didn't

planned to leave, I wanted to at least have a solid

boost my influence

what I wanted

I had already said everything that I wanted to say. Whether he wanted to

not last for long. Raising his head and meeting my eyes, Han Yufei

"I..."

***

time, in a different

is

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