As a merchant, assessing the value of goods and services is the host's prerogative. The host could sell lifespan for 100 dollars or 100 billion dollars. That negotiation exists between host and trade partner. The system does not interfere in pricing decisions. The rings only connect host with individuals meeting specified parameters.
Right. Of course. The system was a tool, not a babysitter. It had given me the capability to trade. What I chose to trade and for how much was my problem.
I wanted to curse. Wanted to rage at my own stupidity. But what good would that do? The system had already given me more than I could have ever hoped for. An opportunity that most people couldn't even imagine. Crying about what it wouldn't do for me was the height of stupidity and ungratefulness.
"Noted," I muttered. "Lesson learned. Don't sell life-altering resources without doing market research first."
I spent the rest of the day on the couch, cycling through food delivery apps and watching TV. My groceries sat mostly untouched in the kitchen. I'd been too busy trying every restaurant within delivery range to actually cook anything. Breakfast was the only meal I'd bothered to make myself.
The show playing was some British sci-fi thing about an alien traveling through space and time in a police box. I'd seen a few episodes before, back when I couldn't afford streaming services and had to rely on whatever was playing on free channels.
"That would be amazing," I said to the empty room, watching the blue box materialize on screen. "Just travel anywhere, anytime. See everything."
Maybe that was possible. Maybe at higher merchant levels, the system unlocked actual dimensional travel instead of just remote trading. The thought made my chest tight with possibility.
I was still fantasizing about it when the system notification flashed across my vision.
Incoming payment from Chen Xuan detected. Accept transfer?
I nearly fell off the couch.
"Wait!" I scrambled to my feet, running toward the guest bedroom where I'd sent the original shipment from. My socks slipped on the hardwood floors, and I barely caught myself on the doorframe.
"Okay," I said, breathing hard. "Okay, I'm ready. Let the transfer through."
Transferring payment.
The air in the center of the room shimmered, just like it had when I'd sent goods out. But this time, things were appearing instead of disappearing.
Two large wooden chests materialized on the floor with solid thunks that I felt through my feet. They were old, heavy looking things, bound with iron and covered in strange symbols I couldn't read.
My hands shook as I reached for the mental connection. "Chen Xuan."
"My lord!" His voice burst through immediately, filled with excitement and relief. "This humble merchant rejoices to hear your divine voice once more!"
I could feel through the connection that he was kneeling, practically vibrating with enthusiasm. The image that came through was of a middle aged man in expensive looking robes, his face flushed with success.
"Tell me of your journey," I said, keeping my voice appropriately godlike. "What became of my blessing?"
"My lord, your gifts brought this servant glory beyond measure!" Chen Xuan's mental voice trembled. "I knew such treasures could only be properly valued in the capital, where the wealthiest of the empire reside. The journey took five months, but it was worth every hardship."
Five months just to travel. Right. No cars, no trains, just horses and wagons on medieval roads.
"The moment I displayed the immortal wares, word reached the palace," Chen Xuan continued. "The Emperor himself summoned me! His Majesty purchased the entire stock, my lord. Everything. The mirrors, the fabrics, the beauty enhancements, the divine beverages. All of it went to the imperial family."
I could picture it. A medieval emperor seeing modern mirrors for the first time, crystal clear glass that showed every detail. Fabrics in colors they'd never seen. Nail polish. Sunglasses. Soft drinks.
"The imperial harem nearly went to war over your gifts, my lord," Chen Xuan said, and I could hear the awe in his voice. "The Emperor, the Empress, and the Empress Dowager claimed the finest pieces. The high ranking concubines fought like cats and dogs over what remained. This humble servant heard there were even deaths in the harem, though of course such things are not spoken of openly."
Deaths? Over nail polish and chiffon?
"There was not enough to satisfy everyone," Chen Xuan explained. "The princes, their wives and concubine ranking women, the favored eunuchs, all left empty handed. And now, my lord, now every noble in the capital is desperate to acquire such treasures. They saw the imperial ladies wearing the divine garments at the New Year's banquet. They witnessed the Empress's flawless complexion after using the immortal beauty potions. They desire these wonders with a hunger that borders on madness."
"You have done well, Chen Xuan," I said, trying to keep the excitement out of my mental voice. "Very well indeed. Rest and recover from your journey. Soon, I will bless you with more goods. Greater quantities this time, to satisfy the hunger you have created."
"This servant is eternally grateful, my lord! I await your next blessing with utmost devotion!"
I ended the connection and immediately pulled up my status panel.
Transaction 2: COMPLETE
Points Earned: 7
Seven points.
Not bad. Not bad at all. Way better than the one measly point I'd gotten for selling a laptop. And uncomfortably close to the twelve points per million I'd gotten for selling my lifespan.
If that wasn't proof I'd undersold my lifespan, I didn't know what was.
But I pushed the thought away. No point dwelling on past mistakes. I knew better now. That's what mattered.
"Okay," I said aloud, looking at the chests. "Let's see what medieval payment looks like."