The Martial Unity

Chapter 3152: Familial Committment

Rui spent some more time with Arastia, Max, and Mana before eventually departing.

”Train hard,” he had told the young girl as he patted her blood-red hair with an endearing smile. ”Train hard and I will bring some yummy treats.”

”Yay!”

He bade them goodbye before taking off as he fell into thought about blood children. He wasn’t fond of the notion of Martial Art potentially ceasing to exist, but he did want their power to spread through human civilization. The former was worth the latter, even if it was undoubtedly going to be painful.

There were great hurdles, of course.

”The Martial Sages and Martial Masters won’t tolerate the destruction of the Martial Path.”

Not all of them were greatly dogmatic about Martial Art, but there certainly was a lot of pride when it came to Martial Art.

”Many rejected even MECHAs,” Rui remarked with a knowing tone. ”There is absolutely no chance they will accept the Martial Path being eroded from human blood.”

That was something for his father and the leaders of human civilization to deal with, of course.

But he had an inkling that his father would need to his help to contain the rioting Martial Artists should the worst have ever unfolded. After all, he was the Emperor of the Beast Domain, and he could decide whether or not to ensure that this change passed.

”...It’s too early to think about this.” He shook his head. ”I have no idea if a Blood Path even exists.”

He had more immediate problems to worry about.

The Martial Sages returned to their nations with the Esocline Federation shattering the Kandrian Empire’s monopoly on World Bridge technology.

The brooding war between the hostile forces of the true world.

He also had even more important personal matters.

Amare immediately came to his mind.

But before that, he had some more obligations to fulfill.

”Family comes first.”

WHOOSH

He surged towards the Aravali Forest in South Kandria.

It was the home of the Silas Clan.

He was a member of the Silas Clan, although he hardly spent time in the clan. He had gotten his hands on the powerful Eye of Prophecy and, in turn, had given them the VOID algorithm through the Water Sect, at least the prototypical version.

The VOID algorithm was so difficult to master that it would be a while before they were ready for the full technique.

He spotted the Silas Clan in a large clearing in the forest.

”Woah...” his eyes lit up at the sheer volume. ”They’ve almost quintupled in size since I last saw them.”

He found himself gazing at a large village or perhaps even a small town with more than ten thousand members spanning the entire settlement, brightly illuminated by the morning Sun. They had formed a more rigorous and developed sense of civil infrastructure across the entire settlements, with enough space for transport and planned housing.

It had been eleven years since he had last visited the settlement. Clearly, the final stage of integration into the Kandrian Empire had been completed by that time, and they had fully become a member of the Kandrian Empire.

Naturally, with the stability of fixed roots and the influx of people who sought to become a part of the Silas Clan, they not only had a high induction rate but also a high fertility rate, greatly increasing their population each year.

STEP

He slowly descended within the small town, drawing awed gasps and shocked stares. Rui quickly disappeared from their eyes before they had the opportunity to swarm him, swiftly navigating the entire town as he found the person he was looking for.

A Martial Sage signature.

There were two of them, but one was a lot more powerful than the other.

His grandmother’s time in the Beast Domain had accelerated Matriach Nephi’s growth and had allowed her to reach the threshold of a peak Sage.

STEP

He arrived before an especially large building at the very epicenter of the settlement.

One guarded by Martial Seniors.

”Your Highness,” the two Martial Seniors bowed, making way as they gestured to the door. ”The Matriarch has been awaiting you.”

Rui smiled wryly.

”Of course she has.”

CLACK

The very moment the doors opened, Rui could sense the displeasure and the anger of his grandmother.

She had always been a grumpy woman to begin with, but this time she was truly in a dark mood.

He knew why, of course.

Not just because he had foreseen it, but also because he had been given more details in his brief talk with his father.

STEP

He found himself gazing at her disgruntled form, simply knitting what appeared to be a woolen cloth.

”Grandmother.” Rui tried a smile. ”I am here. Every time I come to visit you, you seem to be doing some task or the other that most people wouldn’t expect from a Martial Sage.”

She huffed.

”Back when we were still a nomadic tribe, we had to weave our own clothes with our own hands. These day,s everything is automated and manufactured. It takes the joy out of personal crafts that I find to be soothing when I’m in a bad mood.”

He turned, throwing a sweeping gaze across the room, finding it scattered with all manner of woven cloth and fabric.

”...right.”

His grandmother paused her little activity, directing a piercing gaze at her grandson with a knowing look in her sharp eyes.

”You know.”

Rui heaved a sigh. ”Of course I do.”

”Then you must also know what you must do,” her tone was ferocious. ”As a member of the Silas Clan, you have a duty and an obligation. Did you forget the oaths you have sworn when you joined our clan?”

”I did not.” Rui shook his head, heaving a deep breath. ”I... wanted to apologize. I am the reason why he was able to get into the Kandrian Empire. If I had won, we would not be here, and this wouldn’t have happened.”

”If you truly feel that way,” her voice was intense. ”Then do you swear to exact justice and vengeance for the Silas Clan?”

The air grew heavy.

The atmosphere grew electric.

The mood darkened despite the bright light of the morning Sun as Matriarch Nephi confronted her grandson about his commitment to the Silas Clan.