The Martial Unity

“I am very well aware how talent for hybrid fields or complex paths of intellectual pursuit manifest,” the Psycher continued with a calm tone, shifting his composed blood-red eyes towards the Esoterist. “I have even published research on it. However, the fact of the matter is that, based exclusively on the information that I have seen, the man simply is not qualified.”

The Esoterist narrowed his eyes. “I beg to differ. He came from a humble background before eventually becoming the oligarch of the distribution industry across much of the continent by his own merit and virtue. It is an extraordinary feat in the field of business. Take it from someone who is a businessman after my identity as a technologist and a leader. It is unfathomable difficult and he did it extremely well. He is a genius of the commerce of connectivity and that is extremely important and significant in our current predicament. Even if he isn’t a genius, that doesn’t mean that we won’t be better for it to have in our ranks.”

“I would disagree with that final statement vehemently,” the Psycher remarked with a firm tone. “We cannot allow the intellectual quality of our immortal sages to deteriorate. Only the most talented and intelligent people of the human species that have worked extremely hard to manifest all their potential across their entire lives are worthy of our consideration. Someone who isn’t a genius isn’t worthy to be within our ranks.”

The Esoterist clearly wanted to argue, but the Beggar Sage had had enough on the matter.

“We will put a hold on his evaluation for now,” the Beggar Sage turned towards the Psycher. “My friend, I will arrange a meeting with you and the Chairman. You may evaluate him yourself in person. With your unparalleled insight into the human mind, you should be able to accurately determine whether he is cut from the same cloth as us or not. I trust that you will be unbiased.”

“Of course,” the Psycher replied smoothly. “I want our ranks to expand so I hope that he is worthy to be among us.”

The Beggar Sage nodded. “Then, we will wait until then to make our final decision. As for the next nomination…”

“Oh,” the Esoterist raised his hand with a childish smirk. “I have one.”

With a wave of his hand, an image of the Emperor of Harmony emerged upon the screen.

The Beggar Sage glared at him. “Enough with the jokes, you brat. We have already considered him and dismissed him as a nomination not due to his lack of qualifications but due to his comprised allegiance.”

“Is it?” the Esoterist raised an eyebrow. “Is his allegiance to human civilization compromised? Didn’t he just grant absolute protection with all fifty-one Martial Sages of the Kandrian Empire to the entire world about six hours ago?”

The Beggar Sage paused to consider the argument, stirring at the words of the Esoterist. “It is indeed true that his role and presence in human civilization has changed for quite some time…”

The Emperor of Harmony no longer stood exclusively for the people of the Kandrian Empire.

He stood for human civilization for the Kandrian Empire could not exist without human civilization. While it was indeed powerful, it was clear that a measly fifty one Martial Sages even if one of them was the Dawnbringer, could not protect the Kandrian Empire.

Thus, the survival, sovereignty, and success of human civilization was central to his interests, lest the Kandrian Empire suffer along with human civilization. In that regard, compared to the time when the immortal sages considered and ultimately shot down his nomination due to the fact his interests were too in line with the Kandrian Empire, the modern Emperor of Harmony was exactly the kind of humanist that they look for in their nominees.

“It is worth considering, but…” The Beggar Sage shook his head lightly. “Emperor Rael has access to not just life-prolonging potions but also the Dawnbringer. He doesn’t need our soul transference ritual anymore.”

The news of Rui’s reversal of death and his attainment of immortality has shaken the immortal sages. But the revelation that his services required too much time and energy was a source of relief, even if they felt defeated to a certain extent.

He had done what people gave the Divine Doctor credit for having done.

To have overcome death with his sheer power of Martial Art and mind and to have completely removed any limits to his life and to live indefinitely was a boon that, if it were anybody other than him, would have landed him in great trouble.

The world would have hunted any person alive with such godly abilities.

After all, who wanted to die?

Who didn’t want to live longer than their limits?

It was only because it was none other than the Dawnbringer who harbored this extroardinary ability that all parties abandoned any futile attempts to squeeze the secrets of resurrection and immortality from him.

“The Emperor of Harmony will most likely outlive us if he chooses not to abdicate his throne as it seems to be the case,” the Beggar Sage shook his head with a hint of frustration.

He too sought the knowledge regarding the forbidden knowledge of resurrection and immortality but knew he had no way of getting it out of Rui.

“Moving on to the next nominee,” the Beggar Sage shot a sweeping gaze across entire room. “I’m sure I instructed all of you to try to bring at least one with you. I’m sure that each of you have run into special indivduals with the needed talent and dedication to be worthy of consideration.”

“Ah…” A faint murmur escaped the Divine Doctor. “I almost forgot that I actually had one.”

This elicited surprise from many people around the table.

It was very rare that somebody met the Divine Doctor’s high standards.

“It’s an assistant of mine with great mastery and proficiency in a variety of scientific fields,” the Divine Doctor remarked with a smile as frozen as ever. “One who has been of great help and use to me in my investigation into the alien manifold tree.”

He waved his hand as an image of the man appeared before all of them.

An image of Julian Quarrier.

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