The air grew still at the merchant's words.
The villagers' chatter halted, and all eyes turned to him with a mix of curiosity and yearning.
Martial arts manuals were treasures in the Barren Lands, rare and invaluable for those seeking to strengthen themselves or their families.
In this world, the strong is revered and all the best things are monopolized by the mighty.
Although this was the Barren Lands it's doesn't mean it was truly Barren.
What it lacked were high value resources but not an absence of resources entirely.
The power tribes and villages hoard the best hunting grounds and resource points. Due to the power they hold.
The Qin Village is doing fairly well because it has a Ninth Ranked Expert.
Others have even been placed under servitude due to lacking warriors to keep things civil.
That's why, a high ranked martial arts manual was highly valuable.
Qin Yu's heart raced. This was the very manual he had failed to secure in his first simulation—a technique that could elevate a practitioner's strength to a new realm if mastered.
He clenched his fists, determined not to let this opportunity slip away again.
Even though his physique was inherently weak, he knew that with his system there will surely be a way out.
Hopefully before the Beast Tide that will come in nine years time according to his memories.
Qin Wu's expression remained calm, but his voice carried a hint of skepticism. "A martial arts manual? Such items are rare in these parts. What guarantees do we have that it's genuine?"
The merchant chuckled softly, stroking his well-groomed beard.
"A wise question, as expected from the village head. Rest assured, this manual comes with the seal of the Chu Merchant Guild, ensuring its authenticity. However..." He paused, letting the weight of his next words settle.
"It won't come cheap. I am looking for something of equal value."
A murmur rippled through the crowd. The villagers exchanged worried glances.
What could they possibly offer that would match the worth of a martial arts manual?
Qin Wu thought about it and even though he didn't like the fact that such a Manual was beyond him, he still shook his head in the end.
At this time Qin Yu stepped forward, his small figure dwarfed by his uncle's towering presence.
"What exactly are you looking for, sir?" His voice was calm, yet carried a maturity that belied his age.
The merchant's gaze fell on him, his eyes narrowing slightly as if assessing the boy.
"Ah, young one. Bold, aren't you? I'm looking for rare herbs, precious stones, or unique artifacts—items that would fetch a good price in the cities beyond the Barren Lands."
Qin Yu nodded, his mind racing.
The strange items collected by the children came to the forefront of his thoughts.
While most of them were likely worthless, there had been one or two objects that seemed unusual even by his standards.
If the system's notifications were to be trusted, at least one of those items might hold some value.
"Uncle," Qin Yu whispered, tugging at Qin Wu's sleeve. "Let me try something."
Qin Wu looked down at him, a flicker of surprise in his otherwise stoic expression. "Xiao Yu, this is not a game."
"I know, Uncle. Trust me."
After a moment's hesitation, Qin Wu stepped aside, signaling his approval.
Qin Yu turned back to the merchant, his mind steady despite the weight of the situation.
"I have something that might interest you, sir. Please, wait a moment."
The merchant raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Very well, young one. Show me what you've got."
Qin Yu dashed off, weaving through the gathered villagers to where he had stashed the children's collection of strange items.
He rummaged through the pile, his hands brushing against smooth stones, jagged shards of metal, and intricately carved wooden figures.
Finally, his fingers closed around a cool, metallic object—a small, circular disc inscribed with unfamiliar runes.
The system's notification from when he first received it echoed in his memory:
> [Potential Artifact Detected: Unknown Origin. Further analysis required.]
He hurried back to the merchant, cradling the disc carefully.
As he approached, the crowd parted, their curiosity piqued.
Qin Yu extended the disc toward the merchant, who took it with a mix of skepticism and curiosity.
The merchant examined the object closely, his practiced hands turning it over and tracing the runes with a gloved finger.
His expression shifted subtly—from dismissive to intrigued, then to something resembling excitement.
"This..." the merchant muttered, his voice low but audible enough to draw the crowd's attention.
"This is no ordinary trinket. Where did you find it?"
Qin Yu straightened his posture, masking his excitement with a calm demeanor.
"It was found near the river by one of the children. I thought it might be valuable."
The merchant looked at him, a gleam of respect in his eyes.
"You have a good eye, young one. This disc... I cannot say for certain what it is, but it bears the markings of ancient craftsmanship. Such items are highly sought after by collectors and scholars in the cities."
He turned to Qin Wu. "Village Head Qin, I propose a trade. This artifact for the martial arts manual. Do we have a deal?"
Qin Wu hesitated, his gaze shifting between the merchant, the disc, and his nephew. Finally, he nodded. "If you believe it's a fair trade, then we accept."
The merchant smiled, producing a small, leather-bound book from his satchel.
He handed it to Qin Wu, who inspected it carefully before passing it to Qin Yu.
The young boy's hands trembled slightly as he took the manual. The title embossed on its cover read: Green Cloud Manual.
Qin Yu's heart swelled with triumph. He had altered the future, seizing an opportunity that had once slipped through his fingers.
"Wait," the merchant interrupted, pulling out another item from his satchel.
"This manual can only take you to the third rank. But considering the artifact you've provided, I believe you deserve something better."
He held up a larger book, its cover golden and embossed with intricate patterns. "This is the True Yang Technique. It can guide a practitioner to the first rank, the peak of power in the Barren Lands."
The crowd gasped audibly. Manuals that reached the first rank were legendary in their scarcity and power. Qin Yu stared at the merchant in shock.
"For one who sees value where others don't, it's only fair to reward accordingly," the merchant said.
"What do you say, young one?"
"I..." Qin Yu stammered, his heart pounding. He bowed deeply, his voice filled with gratitude.
"Thank you, sir. This is beyond anything I could have imagined."
The merchant chuckled, stroking his beard. "Remember, boy, knowledge is a treasure that grows as you use it. Make good use of the manual. By the way, you may call me Uncle Jin if we meet again."
After this, the merchant left as swiftly as he came.
Meanwhile the villagers praised Qin Yu's rare fortune.
Qin Yu stood quietly, the True Yang Technique manual clutched tightly in his hands.
'Success!'