Published at 23rd of September 2024 12:42 pm

Chapter 2172 Pragmatic Incentives

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Soon after the elderly Martial Master was satisfied with Rui's heeding of his warning, he moved on to other topics that were less important. He espoused the duty that Martial Masters had as Martial Artists in the Martial World, how they were leaders of Martial Art in their own right and had a moral obligation to guide Martial Artists of the younger generations just like they had been guided by the generations before them.

Of course, this wasn't just an argument of ethics.

There were real pragmatic reasons why Martial Masters were inclined to look after the younger generations.

"The stronger and better guided the future generations of Martial Art are, the more dominant Martial Art will be in human civilization," Master Gern calmly informed Rui. "The more dominant Martial Art is, the more dominant Martial Masters will be. In addition, should there ever come a day when you have run out of avenues for the pursuit of power, this simple aid to the younger generations can come back to help you by giving inspiration to you in return when you need it, perhaps even when you don't."

Rui nodded. He did see the merit in this kind of investment form of reasoning to guide the younger generations purely for self-interest.

"This rationale also applies to Martial Sects," Rui noted.

Master Gern nodded appreciatively. "That's true. On that note, the Panamic Martial Federation is aware that you have plans to formally commence your own Martial Sect. We are interested in investing in the sect to further accelerate its growth when the time comes in exchange for a share of all techniques the sect eventually obtains."

Rui considered the offer, shrugging nonchalantly. "I mean, I'm not principally opposed to it. It will depend on the details."

He did not particularly mind such trade deals as long as his techniques and sect were given their due recognition.

Master Gern continued to speak to Rui about what it meant to be Martial Master, reminding him of what was and wasn't permitted by the Panamic Martial Federation. A solid proportion of the most important laws of the Panamic Martial Federation targeted Martial Artists of the Higher Realms simply due to how much destruction they could unleash if they wanted to, and the number of forces that could stop them was far fewer than when they had been in the Lower Realms.

An out-of-control Apprentice was hardly significant or dangerous by any measure.

After all, virtually all nation-states and other human groups and organizations were capable of stopping them due to possessing Martial Apprentices of their own.

While this was less true for Squires and Seniors, there were enough of both for nation-states to handle them in the case of an emergency.

For Martial Masters, however, this was simply not true. An overwhelming proportion of human civilization was entirely defenseless against Martial Masters, and the number of Masters available to deal with them should they go out of control was also far less.

That was precisely one of the reasons that the Panamic Martial Federation stepped in and filled the void.

It was not perfect, of course, but it did the trick. Even Martial Masters of the Underworld needed to be careful. Unlike their nation-states that had no choice but to overlook their crimes against humanity, the Panamic Martial Federation was more than powerful enough to wipe them off the face of the world.

"I have no intention of committing Martial genocide, rest assured." Rui calmly remarked.

"Mmm, the Panamic Martial Federation is pleased by your relationship with human civilization." Master Gern nodded approvingly. "However, it's more than just your conduct, you must also be careful to not release your Martial Embodiment bare before humans. At least, law-abiding citizens. The Panamic Martial Federation does not care if you exterminate the pests of human civilization."

'That must be why Master Zeamer managed to get off despite baring his Martial Embodiment to a large region,' Rui realized.

The man had spread an immense amount of suffering to many people of various drug trafficking mafias in the Gereign Region. But because they weren't people protected by the human rights charter of the Panamic Martial Federation, Master Zeamer got away with it.

Once the elderly Martial Master went over all the topics that they were due to cover, the briefing came to an end. "I'm aware that we may not have gotten off on the right foot, Master Rui," Master Gern began. "However, it has been a good time speaking to you and informing you on the must-knows of Martial Masters. I truly hope you will give everything that we have discussed a serious thought. Should Martial Art's dominance be threatened, all Martial Artists will suffer a serious decline in our power. That is a scenario that will deeply harm both of us. We must put aside nationalism and share power for the sake of the class of Martial Artists."

Rui scoffed inwardly at his words.

Of course, when they wanted power, they would appeal to the noble sentiment of class struggles as they demanded the method of mass Apprentice breakthroughs from the Kandrian Empire.

However, there was never any possibility that Rui would ever surrender to the Panamic Martial Federation. No amount of resources could ever justify anything like that ever happening to him.

"I will give everything we have talked about its due consideration," Rui made a vague promise. "Mmm, good. With that, our talk has come to an end. I look forward to our next encounter."

Rui quickly reciprocated his words before swifty leaving the venue as he headed away, deep in thought.

Yet, his thoughts had already moved on from the conversation he had with Master Gern. He did experience pressure to reveal the mass Apprentice breakthroughs, just like he and his father had predicted, but it was ultimately no big deal. What came next, however, was the biggest issue.

His Martial evaluation.

It would be the first time he would be facing Master Uma in eighteen years.

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