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'

that I was planning to

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

wished nothing more than for his clan to rise into prominence and dominate the other Chinese

quite powerful, and there was a lot

chances of his clan rising to prominence

trying to get his martial manual, but I was

silent. Squinting his eyes, he appeared to fall into deep thought. But it wasn't long before

can you prove to me that you are not

question. I had long seen it

"It's simple really."

of paper from

sign a mana

my mouth, all doubts seemed to have

"Let me see it."

sliding the piece of paper in front of him, Han Yufei

"Hm?"

as he was looking through it, his brows which had previously

to put the paper

is not a mana

"No, it's not."

I shook my head.

he could voice any

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

wasn't impossible to replicate a

by allowing him to provide the mana

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

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 look

to myself when I

"...eh?"

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

contract will join Caïssa mercenary group as a

"Ah, that."

back of my

I made it this way since what I'm offering is actually of higher value than what you

"What!?"

Han Yufei stood up.

mercenary group? Do you know

I know."

of the people I have been keeping close watch of ever

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

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

long as he quickly

know all of this, why are you asking

were filled with

merely smiled

are going, you

"..."

turned ugly at my

didn't answer back. He knew that my words held some truth

it would still take quite a

be losing a lot of time waiting for something that

lacked was real experience, and I could provide that

waste your time there? If you join me, I can guarantee

myself as I

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

when I 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 once doubt the fact

future he planned to leave, I wanted to at least have a solid relationship with him so that I could pull

boost my influence in the

I wanted to

wanted to say.

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

"I..."

***

time,

is the

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