Chapter 1612 Backer
Master Vericita raised an eyebrow softly, giving Rui a knowing look. "I am not unaware of the suggestions and ideas regarding your Martial Art that were born from Master Ceeran's revelations regarding it. I do not know how true they are. The Breathing Sect cannot simply throw its support behind something that isn't substantiated with merit."
"Is a Martial Master's word not enough?" Rui raised an eyebrow. "Master Ceeran informed me that there was additional verification conducted on his claims."
"It's a matter of standards. The Martial Union can afford to invest capital and even take minor gambles fiscally. But Martial Sects are different. We have a reputation to maintain when it comes to supporting a motion. We need a higher standard of certainty. We also need to be sure that it is what you say it is."
"I intend to present it to a variety of Martial Masters before the committee meeting happens," Rui replied. "If it satisfies you, then I presume I have your support?"
"Most certainly young man," Master Vericita smiled. "I, and my fellow Martial Masters of the Breathing Sect, will naturally be voting in favor of the motion to instate you as a member of the fiscal committee."
"Then I suppose we have ourselves an agreement," Rui remarked with satisfaction. "I didn't expect to lobby support in our meeting, but I'm glad that I was able to."
"It was long coming, young man," She remarked. "As I mentioned, I have known about you for a long time, ever since you defeated one of my descendants, heir to the Nepomniachtchi Family, as an Apprentice many years ago."
Rui furrowed his eyebrow in confusion for a moment until it clicked. His eyes widened "Ian Nepomniachtchi?"
Rui's eyes widened at those words. "That is an excessive amount, Master."
"I would have agreed with that statement even a few years ago," She remarked with a smug smile. "But rest assured that that is a very manageable amount these days as a supporter of the Rafia Faction."
Rui raised an eyebrow at those words. It was an interesting remark, and certainly not one that she brought up for no reason.
"I was not aware that the Nepomniachtchi Family was a part of the Rafia Faction," Rui replied with an intrigued tone. "Seems unusual for a Martial family."
"What the Breathing Sect needs more than anything is the capital to fund extensive rallying and lobbying," Master Vericita remarked. "People assume that Martial Artists don't care or need money, especially those of the higher Realms, but the world runs on money and capital. An innumerable problems simply melt before its power. Martial Art is more absolute, of course, but there's no harm in possessing both instead of just one, especially when you are faced with the daunting ambition of wanting to alter the foundations of the Martial World, such a thing cannot be accomplished by Martial power alone."
Rui listened with intrigue. "I see, so the Breathing Sect has aligned with the Rafia Faction to boost the campaign to bring breathing techniques more recognition."
"That correct," Master Vericita remarked, sipping her tea. "We have deemed it to be a necessary measure to achieve our ambition.
Rui wasn't sure about how he felt about that. "Doesn't Her Highness wish to criminalize worker unions to make it easier for a company or organization to access labor? Technically that would include the Martial Union, right? Do you really support that outcome?"
"Not at all," She sipped some tea. "However, I believe that it is inconsequential. That is why I don't care about her extreme ambition to create a world that favors of commerce and trade. The Martial Union will never accept abolition and no force in this world, short of a Martial Transcendent, can abolish it against our will."
