The Martial Unity

"This was a simple duel between friends," Rui reminded him. "So your life was not in the line. But what if I was your enemy? What if I was trying to kill you?"

Kane winced at the thought of it. He had always thought this, but especially so after their fight, Rui was not someone that he wanted to have as an enemy ever!

He had the gut feeling that not even a Martial Senior would be able to protect him from Rui, should he ever decide to kill him.

"I see what you mean… If I stick to my Martial Path in a situation where my life is on the line, and where it isn't most fit. I might die… I definitely don't want to die for my Martial Path, my Martial Path serves me, not the other way. It is my strongest suit, and both my brain and body are entirely centered and revolved around my Martial Path thus it will always be my preferred path in general," He felt a remarkable amount of clarity on the subject after just a few words from Rui, which astonished him.

This wasn't the first time that he had considered the matter, so he had to admit, that he was quite surprised when Rui was able to dispel the fog of uncertainty that had clouded his mind with this much ease.

Once more, his friend diverged from the norm in ways that he couldn't even imagine.

"I'm guessing…" Kane towards Rui with an intrigued expression. "…that you don't feel the same way."

Kane knew his friend enough to have a deep understanding of how he viewed Martial Art. He knew that his friend truly loved Martial Art unlike almost anything else, especially his own Martial Art. He already had a good idea of how Rui felt about the issue.

"You're right," Rui replied. "My Martial Path and Martial Art are the two most important things to me. I would rather die than forsake them."

voice was crystal clear. There wasn't even the slightest hint of hesitation in

help but feel even greater admiration for Rui, his resolve and conviction for his Martial Art and Path were truly worthy of respect. He couldn't

reaction. "Everyone pursues their Martial Path for their own reasons. There is no better or worse reason, as

who 'won'. Shouldn't the Martial Artist that managed to go further down their Martial Path and reach higher

Senior whose goal of pursuing their Martial Path happens to only be achievable with the Sage Realm is not necessarily better than a person who has accomplished what they sought with the help of

unconvinced. The fact that a Martial Senior could be said to have 'won' less than a Martial

who lived with his family in a forest infested with Apprentice-level beasts, and a man B who lived with his family in a forest infested with Master-level beasts," Rui began with an analogy, seeing that Kane was unconvinced. "Man A pursues his Martial Path to the Squire Realm to gain the power to protect his family from the Apprentice-level beasts. He successfully protects his family and lives a life happily ever after. Man B, however, reaches the Senior Realm, and is still unable to

you rather be?

even

for sure…" Kane murmured, understanding Rui's

becoming a Martial Squire over a Martial Senior,"

once more. It

"Those Martial Artists who reach the higher Realms only do so because whatever they desire is so difficult and out of hand that they can only obtain what they want with extraordinary Martial Art. Rather than envying their power, it is best to establish what it is you want, and what it is you pursue your Martial Path for. Simple as that. Nothing more, and nothing else. Do not pursue power you neither want nor need, that is a recipe for an empty

turning to Rui with an awed expression. "Man, this might sound weird but… Sometimes I feel you're not