Published at 23rd of September 2024 12:44 pm

Chapter 2267 Limited Clientele

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His father's attempt to leverage his breakthrough ability to rally allies and the Martial Union's desire not to anger the many powers and forces across humanity pressuring them revealed just how valuable the ability to trigger breakthroughs artificially was.

Of course, he had always known that it was revolutionary.

However, now that he was tangibly able to get a taste of just how valuable it was, it reaffirmed how difficult it was to execute. He bet that the Panamic Martial Federation deeply regretted ever trying to charge him with anything for the damages he had done. Compared to the value of the ability to trigger breakthroughs at will, the losses his Sun technique had caused them were microscopic.

In his Flowing Void Style, he had the ability to revolutionize Martial Art forever. He could ensure that human civilization eventually grew to be qualitatively superior by orders of magnitude than it would be otherwise without his intervention.

It was hardly any wonder that even the highest echelons of humanity sought his ability.

His compromise gave some relief to the Martial Sages and Masters who led the Union. Although it wasn't the best outcome, it was still far better than an absolute refusal.

"I didn't think that the Sage and Master Council cared so much about its perceptions internationally." Rui raised an eyebrow. "I'm the only one with real political experience here, and I don't care about it. We're Martial Artists, are we not? The Martial Union exists to serve Martial Artists, not the other way around."

"…That does sound like someone who hasn't witnessed the creation of the Martial Union or the earlier centuries of the Age of Martial Art." Sage Roschem shook his head lightly. "The organization is important for concretely unifying Martial Artists in our nation and ensuring that the dominance of Martial Art remains while ensuring that the power of Martial Artists grows. If the organization is weak, it weakens the influence and power of Martial Artists. Without it, we are much more vulnerable as a disorganized and disunited class. Each and every one of us has benefited from it in many ways. Thus, we ought to ensure that we contribute to the organization with the ability to pay our debts away. Though, in your case…"

He huffed with a hint of incredulity. "…it is the other way around."

"I'm glad the Martial Union recognizes that." Rui snorted but limited himself to that.

He didn't mind bolstering the Martial Union as long as it wasn't inconvenient. After all, it was true that the Martial Union was vital to the growth and dominance of Martial Art. It was responsible for everything from massive budgets and resources allocated to Martial R&D to immense investment into nurturing new Martial Artists in the form of sixteen elite Martial Academies. On top of that, it had a highly robust and efficient bureaucracy that ensured each commission was extensively vetted and thoroughly tagged and classified to ensure that each Martial Artist could find exactly the kind of open commission that was perfect for their abilities and gave them the most meaningful experience and growth.

It was indeed important.

"I don't like being shackled by it, though," Rui made his stance clear. "And, as pointed out, the Martial Union is indebted to me. In consideration of the sensitive situation we are in, the most crucial parts of the war, I will not refuse, but otherwise, I do not wish to be bothered by anything else in the future."

There was nothing that any of them could say to that. Rui had already contributed too much and had too much power and influence within the Kandrian Empire. He essentially had the voice of a Martial Sage as a Master.

"That is something that we are amenable to." Sage Roschem nodded. "What is the number of commissions you are willing to undertake, precisely? And what, if any, preferences do you have for the clients who seek your services?"

Those were a little harder to answer, leaving Rui deep in thought.

"…I have made up my mind on exactly what role I'll be undertaking in this second phase of the war, having just spoken to my father about it," Rui began. "I cannot say how many commissions I'll accept immediately, but as for my preferences, I suppose that would most certainly be clients who are able and willing to help us with the war. I don't care for anything else because Kandria is already powerful and bountiful enough to get me anything I please. But overcoming this war is difficult and our single greatest priority. I don't care what form it takes, but anybody who can help us win the war without unacceptable caveats is the criteria I'll set."

It was precisely because the Kandrian Empire of the future would be able to give him pretty much anything he needed or desired that he was especially determined to do everything in his power to ensure that that future could be attained.

"One more thing." A Master drew his attention. "We have identified Master assassins who have tried entering the Kandrian Empire for obvious reasons. I would strongly recommend that you travel with a protective detail of Masters to ensure that no har—"

"No need." A smile cracked at the edge of Rui's mouth. "I look forward to their attempts."

His words evoked a frown from those at the table. "That is dangerous and risky."

"I can handle it," Rui reassured them. "I look forward to it. I would love to gain some experience with Masters by fighting assassins."

"You are undoubtedly a powerful Master, but assassins are able to overcome differences in grade by virtue of their preparations and the element of surprise. All it takes is a single moment of being caught off-guard, and you could lose your life."

Rui knew that their arguments were valid and sound, but he did not heed them nonetheless. He possessed a measure of confidence in his survival and looked forward to testing himself against those who sought to kill him.

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