The Martial Unity

As they shot through the sky at extraordinary speeds, Rui couldn’t help but be flooded by memories of old when he came here as a mere Squire. Back then, the only reason that he was selected as an ambassador was because he was most fit to open diplomatic talks.

Master Ceeran, no more than a high-grade Senior back then, had already tried and failed at leading talks with the G’ak’arkan Tribe.

That was why Commissioner Derun had deployed Rui for the mission, leading him to successfully set up diplomatic relations with the G’ak’arkan Tribe.

It had been a long and tiring mission that had required plans spanning over months, but ultimately, he had managed to reel over the stubborn G’ak’arkan Tribe to their side.

It had earned him a good number of credits from the Martial Union.

He looked at the time he had spent on Vilun Island quite positively; it had served as an experience that broadened his worldview and was the first time he had meandered so far away from human civilization.

And now, after roughly twenty years, he was finally returning to the island.

The speeds at which they traveled allowed them to cover vast swathes of the ocean in short timeframes, allowing them to reach the island a lot sooner than they otherwise would have. “It’s changed…” A murmur escaped Rui as he beheld the island for the first time in two decades.

Topography did not normally change as quickly unless there was a natural calamity or there were Martial Artists.

In the case of Vilun Island, it certainly was the latter.

They had no natural disasters other than Seniors wreaking havoc across the island the few times that they fought.

BADUMP BADUMP!

Before they could ever arrive at the island, however, they were intercepted by two Martial Seniors who emerged from the island, impeding them in their path.

They wore pelts fashioned from the beasts native to the island, while their bronze skin was covered with streaks made from charcoal. Yet, their faces were gaunt while heavy eyebags sat under their eyes. Their demeanor couldn’t hide their malaise.

Rui recognized not just the ethnic attire of the G’ak’arkan Tribe but also the two men who stood in his path.

And they did, too.

“You guys…” he spoke in the G’ak’arkan dialect for the first time in a long time. “K’ahru and N’Kulu…!”

They were brother and father to K’Mala. The latter had been the chief of the tribe as once the strongest Senior of the G’ak’arkan Tribe, but once his daughter broke into the Master Realm, he had no choice but to cede the seat of tribe chieftain to her.

The two men shook with shock as they recognized Rui as well, if only by his rare black hair and black eyes.

They also recognized that Rui stood in a Realm of power that far exceeded anything that they had ever fathomed.

“You…” the elderly man began as his expression darkened. “You were of the second rank just twenty years ago. By what miracle did you reach the cursed fourth rank in such a short timeframe?”

Rui narrowed his eyes as he sensed the grave weight in his voice.

The air darkened as their eyes grew severe, judging Rui with piercing stares.

Yet, their demeanor only confirmed his suspicions regarding K’Mala.

“…Cursed fourth rank?” Rui raised an eyebrow.

“Do not play coy with me, young man.” The elderly Senior scoffed. “Did you really think that

we would fail to notice the poison that this power is? It is cursed, cursed, I say!”

“Slow down.” Rui sharpened his gaze. “What’s going on? Why are you guys here?”

The men exchanged a glance, heaving a sigh.

“We sensed powerful auras incoming to the island.” Senior K’ahru stated. “We didn’t expect

it to be you two. What brings you to this island after two decades?”

“…We came to enlist Master K’Mala’s aid for a war that we are part of,” Rui calmly explained the truth.

“Just her?” Senior K’ahru frowned. “Not us or the rest of our tribe?”

Rui shook his head. “I’m afraid you’re all far too weak to matter.”

He didn’t mince his words as he told them the truth.

They grimaced but didn’t try to refute him.

They already knew that mainland civilization was far stronger than they were. Perhaps, twenty years ago, they would have been arrogant enough to believe in their supremacy, but the past twenty years had shattered that delusion.

“Take me to her,” Rui told them. “I wish to speak to her.”

Their gazes were fixed on Rui. “We can do that, but we have a request.”

Rui simply stared at them.

Their expressions grew grave as they gritted their teeth.

“We hope that you will kill K’Mala.”

Rui’s eyes widened with shock. “Did you just… ask me to kill your own daughter and sister?”

Senior K’ahru’s eyes sharpened. “Our sister died ten years ago when she broke through to the cursed rank. The person she is now, I refuse to accept that wraith as my sister!”

Rui stared at them, heaving a sigh.

“No.”

They winced at his refusal.

“Did you really think that I would agree to that? After I just told you I’m here to enlist her in a war?” Rui raised an eyebrow. “No wonder you idiots have yet to break into the Master Realm.”

They glared at him, yet they were powerless to change his mind. He was Master, after all. He could erase their existence from the world if he wanted to. There was a time when they used to intimidate him when they were a whole Realm above him, yet that time had long passed as Rui shot past them with a meteoric speed.

“Then…” He continued. “If you cannot kill her yourself, can you ensure that she dies in war?”

Rui shook his head. “Absolutely not.”

They grimaced at his words.

Rui could understand their plight, but he could not bring dishonor to the Kandrian Empire’s reputation if it came out.

Reputation was extremely important in the war for allies. His father had entered this war knowing that the good international reputation that he had as a business partner and an alliance mate gave him an advantage.

Rui had no intention of ruining his father’s plans by doing something that could besmirch the Kandrian Empire’s reputation.