"Thank you for welcoming us," Rui began. "I am Rui, representative of the Martial Union. We are here to facilitate successful cooperation and trade between our villages. We hope that the G'ak'arkan Tribe will heed us and accept our offer to engage in a mutually beneficial relationship."
Rui stared at Senior K'Mala 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 relatively certain that she did not possess any disregard for his offer.
Her subconscious non-verbal communication 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 accompany you? Do you truly represent your village 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 extremely large and powerful," Rui smiled. "Both the rank-three outsider and I are following orders. I am the leader of the village, 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 claimed 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 seriously last 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 village. The crowd parted ways for her as Rui and his assistants quickly followed suit.
Not much had changed in the village since Rui's last 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 the larger hall that they used for important discussions and meetings.
"Have a seat," She gestured at a large 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 placed clay 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 claim 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 accept your offer to engage in trade with us. If you are unwilling to accept 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 every last compunction and shred of reluctance with compelling 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.
"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 blankly. "The first concern we have is our confidence in your commitment to this trade. We are aware that you possess the ability to leave the island with all of the villagers of your village. What is to stop you from leaving our island 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.
