The Martial Unity

“Thank you for all your time and effort, Master Rui.” One Master of the Water Sect bowed lightly with deference. “I am aware, more than most, of how important your time is and just how important your role in human civilization is. Unlike the Martial Artists of the Lower Realms, we are aware that you are one of the two pillars that support all of human civilization in this Era of Darkness. Rest assured, we will fill in for you while you complete your noble undertaking to bring salvation upon a dying human civilization.”

Her voice was filled with admiration and awe, offering complete deference to him. Rui was actually taken aback by how much deference she showed to him despite also being of the Master Realm as he was.

“I appreciate your understanding, but it’s not just the apocalyptic emergency that we are in that takes my time but also my own needs as a Martial Artist,” Rui informed her. “I would most likely have left the Kandrian Empire even if there had been no Beast Incursion. It was a thought that had occurred to me during the war. Adaptive Evolution is a reactive force which means it needs exposure, something that is difficult to find in the sterile atmosphere of the Kandrian Empire.”

“Your ambition is inspiring, Master Rui.” Another Master gazed at him with respect and admiration. “I wish you the best of luck. Rest assured that I will ensure that the sect fulfills its mission while you are away.”

Rui nodded, directing a sweeping gaze across all of them. “Remember everything I told you about the Hellbringer model and its training resources. This will be especially important as it will enable you to deal with Sage-level beasts. Do not be remiss in your training and make sure that you fully master it in the next five years.”

With the timeframe being increased to five years, Rui didn’t face as much urgency in running around human civilization to accelerate people’s mastery of the Hellbringer Model. He didn’t even need to do it for the Kandrian Empire because they had a headstart over the rest and were the most secure human force.

It was best he went to the Sekigahara Confederate and Britannian Empire immediately to ensure that these nations did not deteriorate past the line of no return as far as their defenses went.

“Ah, Master Rui, I was to inform you that the Sage Council seeks an audience with you,” another Master told him. “It would be best if you speak to them immediately.”

“Hmmm…” Rui fell into thought. “Alright, I suppose I can make time for another meeting before I leave the Kandrian Empire today.”

Ideally, he would love to leave the Kandrian Empire right away, but alas, he couldn’t ignore the Sage Council of the Martial Union.

It wasn’t too long before he returned to Vargard and to the Martial Union’s headquarters, heading straight to the Sage Council conference that was awaiting him the moment they were notified of his departure from the Water Sect.

CLACK

The massive gates to the Sage Council, featuring a number of Martial Sages of Martial Union sitting atop a lofty panel. The combined weight of their beings bore heavy on the fabric of heaven and earth, making their presence known to any and all around them.

“Master Rui,” the Breath of Destruction calmly addressed him. “We are more than aware of the importance of the roles you play in humankind’s resistance to the Beast Incursion, thus we will not take too much of your time. We have summoned you for one and only one reason today.”

Rui looked at the leader of the Breathing Sect knowingly. “Let me guess, MECHAS.”

“Indeed.” The Mountain of Fortitude directed a powerful gaze at him. “Frankly, we are at a loss. I did not think I would ever find myself this indisposed in regards to anything related to Martial Art, but this new weapon has completely shattered any conceptions that we have held on the limits of what constitutes a Martial Art.”

The silence that followed revealed that this was a sentiment that all the Martial Sages shared. It couldn’t be helped.

These Martial Sages were relics of a previous era. All of them were born centuries ago, having solidified as Martial Artists long before technology reached the heights that it did. They regarded technology as a useful but potential threat that competed with Martial Art, albeit only partially successfully.

And now, here came an extremely technologically advanced weapon of such extreme sophistication and complexity that it completely destroyed all their preconceived notions of what was possible and what wasn’t.

They were completely blindsided and dazed by the invention of MECHAS.

It appeared that his father was right in that the Martial Union might not take too kindly to MECHAS due to this innate biases.

This was not good.

“Martial Art is constantly evolving and growing.”

Rui’s words drew their attention.

“Every generation of Martial Artists are stronger than the older generation not just because of more advanced Martial Bodies, but also because Martial Art itself grows stronger as well,’ he continued. “MECHAs are just the next step down the line of the evolution of Martial Art. Rather than reject MECHAS because they defy all your preconceived notion of Martial Art and are beyond your fathoming, I would recommend you accept them as part of the natural evolution of Martial Art. Need I remind you that once upon time, breathing techniques and misdirection techniques and hypnosis and all these powerful fields were also new and revolutionary long ago.”

This was true.

In fact, many of the Sages were old enough to remember such times.

“Imagine where Martial Art would be today if the elder Martial Artists of those days remained close-minded, hard-headed, and stubborn about those new fields of Martial Art like hypnosis or poison.” Rui drew parallels between the present and the past. “Martial Art would not be as strong as it is today if the leaders of the Martial World were constantly rejecting new innovations and inventions within Martial Art due to their own shortcomings.”

It was not pleasant to realize that they were on the verge of being those very leaders.