CHAPTER 2345: SETTLED DEBT

The guildmaster stared at Rui with a pointed gaze. "Then, let us ensure that half of the payment is in money, which I will keep, and the other half is in Martial contributions, which you are entitled to."

Rui shrugged. "That's fine by me as long as I get what I need. Will you still be able to make a profit if only half the payments are monetary?"

"Of course. Have you any idea how many powers out there have come to lust for your Martial Art?" Guildmaster Bradt raised an eyebrow. "Even before it was revealed that you were responsible for the mass-triggered breakthroughs, your Martial Art had been highly desirable. However, after people came to learn that the secret to more frequent breakthroughs was hidden in the depths of Martial Art, demand for it has skyrocketed. In fact..."

He leaned forward. "If not for the fact that you are an extremely powerful Martial Master and are the prince of the most powerful Sage-level powerhouse in East Panama, you would be hunted alive for it by now. Why do you think the Silas Clan went into hiding?"

Rui knew that his circumstances protected him from the worst of the consequences of his abilities being leaked. He was quite fortunate not to be on the run for the rest of his life. His Martial Art was so desired that only becoming a Martial Sage could possibly protect him from the consequences.

"Well, just to be clear, I'm not selling the mass-triggered breakthrough ability." Rui's tone was firm.

"You would be a fool to," Guildmaster Bradt retorted. "Now, however, you need to ensure that you capitalize on the desire of people to be able to do the things that you can."

"People should know that they won't be able to do the things that I do just because they master my techniques," Rui mused. "I'm not special because of my techniques; my techniques are special because of me."

Guildmaster Bradt shrugged. "Those who are aware of that would still be inclined to invest in them due to that being the best option, and those who aren't aware would invest even more in it in hopes of becoming the next you."

"That would be incredibly foolish," Rui scoffed. "Surely the Martial Institutions around human civilization would not allow such a thing to happen."

The man shook his head. "You think every nation has robust and powerful Martial Institutions like the Martial Union? You are mistaken."

Rui fell into thought, considering his words. "...Alright, you have convinced me of the business potential."

"Brilliant." The man got up. "I shall draft the contract templates and we can proceed from there."

"Woah, slow down." Rui frowned. "You may be comfortable dealing with an enemy, but I'm not. Tomorrow's outcome will affect how I view this agreement and what measures I deem necessary. If you side against the Kandrian Empire, then I will be more cautious in how I deal with you. If you become an ally, however, you get free reign and monetary support from the Kandrian Empire. It all depends on your choice."

The guildmaster directed a pointed look at Rui.

He knew exactly what Rui was trying to do.

Rui was trying to add another incentive to the balance to try and tilt it to his side. He was trying to add to the list of reasons that the merchant ought to side with the Kandrian Empire.

"...I suppose we shall see then," the guildmaster replied with an ambivalent tone. "Until then, I will have you complete the favor you owe me, once and for all. I trust you have no issue with doing so before the joint meeting?"

Rui shrugged. "None at all. It's not like I can prepare much in the span of a single day, so I might as well get rid of a twenty-one-year-long debt that has been sitting on my shoulder. I have no intention of letting it last any longer."

He was actually truly shocked at how the man's patience turned a simple favor from a weak Squire into a repayment of mass-triggered breakthroughs that would supply him with brand- new Apprentices, Seniors, and Masters. Such was the ability of a merchant to extract the most amount of value from even the smallest of things.

"Then, this meeting has come to an end." Guildmaster Bradt extended a hand out, which Rui promptly shook. "I look forward to what you have to say in the joint meeting."

And thus, the first meeting with the guildmaster was complete.

Rui headed back to the prepared suite, heaving a sigh. "What do you think?"

"Hah, you were too nice to that sneaky merchant!" Sage Damian snorted, evidently fed up by the guildmaster's antics. "You should have told him that we would beat him up if he joined our enemies."

"I think you handled the negotiations very well," the Flashing Flier remarked. "However, the outcome is hardly set; you will need to be very careful."

Rui nodded. "For now, I need to break through as many Apprentices, Seniors, and Masters as possible."

Sage Roschem raised an eyebrow. "Do you truly intend to? It is an extremely precious service that you are just giving away to repay the favor you received when the latter is astronomically smaller in value."

"I cannot go back on my word," Rui replied. "Not only because I'm truly grateful to the man for helping me when he had no reason to, but also because it would undermine our credibility and trust if we didn't."

And sure enough, Rui fulfilled his favor to the guildmaster, breaking through Apprentices, Seniors, and Masters of his choice.

Considering that Rui wanted to finish it before the joint meeting, he worked for more than an hour, breaking through a large group of Apprentices, a few dozen Seniors, and four Masters.Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

An overwhelming majority of them were associated with the Bradt Distribution Service, while the remaining were associated with the Shionel government as a whole. While such a number was insignificant in the Kandrian Empire, they were a lot more valued in the Shionel Confederation.

And thus, after twenty-one years, his debt to the guildmaster was finally settled.