"Thank you for weing us," Rui began. "I am Rui, representative of the Martial Union. We are here to facilitate sessful cooperation and trade between our viges. We hope that the G''ak''arkan Tribe will heed us and ept our offer to engage in a mutually beneficial rtionship."


    Rui stared at Senior K''M as she processed his words. He could immediately tell that she was not averse to the offer that the Martial Union had made. Although she did not do anything overt to reveal her thoughts on the matter, Rui was rtively certain that she did not possess any disregard for his offer.


    Her subconscious non-verbalmunication betrayed her interest in his offer.


    "We are interested in listening to and considering what you have to say, warrior Rui," She replied carefully as she reached the ground. "Has the rank-three warrior not chosen to apany you? Do you truly represent your vige when he is a part of it?"


    Rui was aware that the G''ak''arkan Tribe assigned numbered ranks to each Realm, ascending with the power of the Realm. Rank three Martial Artist was nothing but a Martial Senior, while he would be considered a rank two Martial Artist.


    "As I''m sure you have long been made aware of, the rank-three Martial Artist and myself are both part of a group that is extremelyrge and powerful," Rui smiled. "Both the rank-three outsider and I are following orders. I am the leader of the vige, and he is the rank three guardian and protector of it."


    "I see…" Her eyebrows knitted briefly as she tried wrapping her head around the matter. She couldn''t imagine why the group that they imed to be a part of would ever order a rank-three Martial Artist. She especially couldn''t imagine why a rank three Martial Artist would willingly bow his head to a rank two Martial Artist like Rui, yet she was open-minded enough to understand that they were outsiders with customs and norms that were entirely different from that of theirs.


    They had already taken him seriouslyst time, and now they took him even more seriously after witnessing what he could do. Thus, it wasn''t nearly as much of a problem as it would have been.


    It spoke volumes about how impressed they were with Rui.


    "Come with me," She said as she turned around and walked toward the vige. The crowd parted ways for her as Rui and his assistants quickly followed suit.


    Not much had changed in the vige since Rui''sst visit four months ago. There was greater greenery as it was the season of spring, it seemed. Yet everything else had more or less remained the same.


    She didn''t say a word until they reached therger hall that they used for important discussions and meetings.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Have a seat," She gestured at arge table in the room. The room was heavily guarded with several Martial Squires at every corner and on both sides of the entrance.


    Rui waited as a servant ced y cups of water on the table for all of the four seated members.


    "Now then. Please begin."


    Rui smiled. "As the G''ak''arkan Tribe is very well aware, our Martial Union has offered all of you the opportunity to engage in a trade of techniques between both sides. We believe that both sides have unique advantages, ensuring that both sides stand to gain power from this trade. We see every reason to proceed with this trade and no reason not to. Today, we are here for that very reason. We hope that the G''ak''arkan Tribe will acquiesce this time."


    "…" She stared at Rui wordlessly for several seconds, before opening her mouth. "We… are not unwilling. But we wish to ensure that this trade of Martial Art techniques is truly beneficial to us in the way that you im it is. We do not wish to rashly give our word in an agreement that is exploitative or deceptive of us. If you are able to truly convince us beyond any shadow of a doubt that our tribe truly benefits no less than your so-called Martial Union, then and only then will we ept your offer to engage in trade with us. If you are unwilling to ept this, then there is no possibility of cooperation.


    This was the very first time in all of the diplomatic interventions with the G''ak''arkan Tribe in history that the Martial Union had managed to not get rejected by the G''ak''arkan Tribe. Rui and his assistants were unfazed to the eye, yet they were celebrating inwardly.


    Of course, their response was far from affirmative. But this was already a really good result considering history.


    Finally, a mutual intent to cooperate had finally been established, with that out of the way, Rui could slowly and surely break through everystpunction and shred of reluctance withpelling arguments. Now that they were finally going to be actively engaging with what the Martial Union was offering, they could finally get to the heart of the issue.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    "Of course, most certainly. We are very much willing to address any and all concerns that you may have," Rui smiled. "Please do not feel troubled to share any and all concerns you may have on this matter."


    She nodded nkly. "The first concern we have is our confidence in yourmitment to this trade. We are aware that you possess the ability to leave the ind with all of the vigers of your vige. What is to stop you from leaving our ind the second we give you all of the information regarding our techniques? Information that may very well be enough for your so-called Martial Union to recreate our techniques based on it."


    Rui had somewhat expected this concern. After all, it was a fundamental issue with the very nature of trading with the Martial Union. It was true that he was very much capable of leaving with the employees of the Martial Union any time he wanted with some preparations ahead of time.


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