Merchant From Earth in the Magical World

Yan Xing also found her too beautiful.

When he was selecting watches online to sell, he had seen plenty of hand models wearing these watches. Those delicate, jade-like hands were described as having "fingertips like bamboo shoots, wrists like white lotus roots"; "hands soft as young rushes, skin smooth as cream." All were carefully chosen, effects produced by who knows how many touches of Photoshop from model pictorials.

And indeed, the effect after putting on the watches was good. Watches costing a few dozen yuan could somehow convey an "I am the vanguard of fashion" vibe.

Then, when Hibel wore the watch, Yan Xing thought all those watch models were utterly inferior.

What's the core quality of a watch? Is it fashion? No! It's perceived value. It must make people feel it's expensive; that's the very reason for a watch to exist.

Making a watch costing a few dozen yuan feel like it's worth tens of thousands isn't something an ordinary model can do.

But in Yan Xing's eyes, Hibel had done just that.

To me, Hibel's beauty is merely on the level of a Photoshop master. I've been all over the internet for more than a decade; what kind of beauty haven't I seen? I still have that much self-control.

But the noble aura emanating from Hibel's very bones was something Yan Xing had never witnessed before. It made him personally realize what generations of accumulated heritage and a noble upbringing from childhood truly meant.

Now, with a quartz watch on Hibel's wrist, Yan Xing himself couldn't believe he had bought the watch online for just 99 yuan.

Ninety-nine thousand... I'd believe that.

If I could bring Hibel to my world to specialize in selling watches, I'd definitely make a fortune! Of course, having Hibel sell watches here would be even more profitable.

I've decided! Hibel will be my watch model—the brand ambassador for Eternal Domain watches. In the future, she'll get to wear all new models for free. After putting one on, she'll just stroll around Nuta City, making sure to mingle in noblewomen's circles. Let all those ladies and young misses see what a truly high-end accessory looks like! I believe that soon enough, if a noble goes out without an Eternal Domain watch on their wrist, when they meet acquaintances, would they even dare to extend a hand in greeting?

Yan Xing collected all the watches he had distributed and then took the one from the butler's hand before sitting back down in his seat.

He said to Hibel, "Miss Hibel, what do you think about this piece of Swamp Tribe art?"

Hibel, looking at the women's watch on her wrist, liked it more and more, so much that she couldn't bear to take it off.

"This... this is really a work of art by the Swamp Tribe?"

Hibel truly couldn't believe that Werewolves and Lizardmen from the swamp could create such a delicate watch.

Yan Xing had already decided to attribute all the industrial products from his world to the Swamp Tribe.

After all, they don't have the ability to go deep into the swamp to verify it. Even if they went, they wouldn't find anything.

So Yan Xing confirmed firmly, "Of course, these are artworks of the Swamp Tribe. Just like the flight goggles we saw earlier. The watches are also the laborious creations of Swamp Tribe craftsmen. From preparing the materials to manufacturing the finished product, it takes eighty-one days. Only ten watches can be made at a time. But in the spirit of craftsmanship, we must rigorously check these watches. We only keep the most accurate one, and the remaining nine pieces are smashed and destroyed. We would never allow any imperfect product to leave our hands!"

It's a one-in-ten selection. All industrial products from the Eternal Domain are advertised externally as one-in-ten.

It doesn't matter if this marketing spiel sounds fake. I need to understand the psychology of these wealthy clients. Do nobles care if the pitch is fake? No, they care about their image, about the prestige of a "one-in-ten" claim. They wear these watches to show off. So, meticulously saying it's 'carefully selected' versus bluntly stating 'one in ten, the other nine are smashed'—which gives them more face? It's obvious!

At this point, the butler didn't wait for Hibel to ask, but went ahead and inquired, "Knight Yan Xing... I see you have brought so many watches. Are you planning to sell these watches?" This сhаptеr wаs mаdе pоssiblе by thе соmmunity аt МV|LЕМ|РYR.

"Talking about money really spoils the mood." Yan Xing put all the watches into his bag and said, "Miss Hibel, the one on your wrist is a gift to you. It's as if it was made for you. But I do hope Miss Hibel could fulfill a small request of mine?"

Hibel truly didn't want to take off the watch and asked Yan Xing, "Please speak, Knight Yan Xing. As long as it's within my power, I will do my best to fulfill your wish."

"I hope you will always wear this watch. If someone asks where this watch is from, please tell them. It's a watch from the Eternal Domain, and from Knight Yan Xing, you can have it for just 500 Gold Coins."

"500 Gold Coins?" Hibel looked at the watch on her wrist again and said, "For such exquisite art and alchemy, 500 Gold Coins is not expensive."

500 Gold Coins isn't expensive? You nobles sure are rich!

Yan Xing then said, "I'm talking about God-given gold coins."

"God-given gold coins?"

Hibel looked at Yan Xing again.

God-given gold coins? Although they can be exchanged one-for-one with regular Gold Coins, almost no Hero or Lord would do so. Regular Gold Coins are for circulation; no matter where they are, they always exist. Plus, with the abundance of gold mines and large reserves in this world, Gold Coins are used for large transactions. So, a watch for 500 Gold Coins wouldn't seem expensive to me. But God-given gold coins are constantly being consumed, and at a very high rate. Especially when war breaks out, seemingly plentiful reserves of God-given gold coins can be depleted very quickly if not managed. Thus, God-given gold coins are a crucial strategic resource, a currency tier above Gold Coins. It's a grave offense for commoners to possess them privately. Heroes and Lords wouldn't easily spend their God-given gold coins either. Having some saved up can literally be a lifesaver in a critical moment. Therefore, for 500 Gold Coins, such a beautiful watch felt like more than worth the value. But 500 God-given gold coins?

…

Western gift-giving customs lacked the elaborate courtesies of the East.

Well, if someone is willing to spend 500 God-given gold coins on an Eternal Domain watch, that's their business. And for such an attractive watch, such a fine piece of alchemy, even 500 *regular* Gold Coins would be a bargain.

"Alright. I will always wear this watch and will tell anyone who asks about its origins. Thank you again for your gift, Knight Yan Xing... Knight Yan Xing, what are you reaching for now? Perhaps we should discuss..."

Seeing Yan Xing rummaging in his bag again, Hibel was genuinely afraid he would produce another piece of Swamp Tribe craftsmanship.

I didn't come here for these things. Even though the flying goggles and the watch are astonishing and I'm pleased with them... we should be talking about Ice Jade Porcelain right now. This is about whether I can investigate the traitors colluding with the Orcs and earn military merits!

Just as Yan Xing produced a bottle of perfume, an Armsman suddenly ran in from outside.

"Major Hibel, please return to the barracks immediately."

Hibel stood up and asked, "What's happened?"

"Priest Temple from the duchy's Central Divine Temple has been assassinated..." At this moment, a series of urgent bell tolls came from outside. The Armsman continued, "Nuta City has closed its gates; the entire city is under martial law. General Antoine has ordered all officers and soldiers currently outside to return to the barracks. The general has ordered the Nuta City Gryphon Knights to immediately lock down the city's airspace to prevent any more serious incidents."