Chapter 1604 Shocking Demands
While Prince Raijun had earned the political support of a solid chunk of the Martial Union, he did not own that power. That power had more of an ownership over him than he did over it.
'Your status as a prince does not hold nearly as much weight amongst Martial Artists of the Martial Union as it does elsewhere.' Rui mused. 'The only reason they're supporting you is because only those with Royal blood can ascend the throne.'
In other words, Prince Raijun was not a leader so much as a front. While he had undoubtedly displayed political acumen qualities in lobbying for as many Martial Artists to join his faction. What he was essentially doing was selling himself as an opportunity for the Martial Union to gain the throne.
In other words, for all matters not relating to the throne, the Martial Union did not care about Prince Raijun.
This included his personal ambition as a Martial Apprentice to reach the Squire Realm. The Martial Supremacist faction in particular would never choose that personal ambition over Rui.
Rui knew that.
He knew that the Martial Supremacists were extremely favorable to him. Commissioner Derun of the faction, who sent him to Vilun Island, was extremely pleased with his performance back then. On top of that, the Martial Supremacist Faction undoubtedly fell in love with the Hungry Pain technique that he supplied them.
Furthermore, they were undoubtedly strong supporters of Rui spreading his Martial Art and creating his own sect. Something that the prince himself, Headmaster Aronian, the various Martial Sects, and the Minister of Martial Art had all personally requested or suggested Rui do.
In comparison, Prince Raijun's personal ambitions as a Martial Artist did not matter nearly as much to them compared to the most prodigious Martial Senior in history. He had already earned their support as an Apprentice, they themselves didn't gain much by him becoming a Squire. The prince himself was the one who gained the most by becoming a Squire.
The final reason Rui was confident was that Martial Artists believed in Martial power. Martial power had become an integral part of their identity, after all. It was almost impossible for Martial Artists to respect and value a Martial Apprentice more than a Martial Senior, especially one like Rui.
Rui had keenly understood all these factors and had realized a single thing.
The Martial Union would not help Prince Raijun bully Rui for his personal aspirations. Prince Raijun couldn't command them to do so either, he had not earned their loyalty, only their incentivized and calculated support.
He may be the Martial Prince, but Rui was the Martial Golden Boy of the Kandrian Empire and the Martial Union.
This was further supported by the fact that his personal bodyguards were those supplied by the state, and not by the Martial Union. It was subtle, but Rui's sharp insight detected the distance between him and his faction.
It became increasingly clear to Rui that although the Martial Prince had the highest amount of Martial capital, he had the least amount of control over his faction than any other prince or princess, most likely.
This was a reality that even the prince was very well aware of and had been trying to hide, but alas, Rui had discovered the truth nonetheless.
If Prince Raijun wanted Rui's help, he was going to have to use the carrot, since the stick would refuse to help him in this regard.
"Like I said," The Prince's voice had gained an edge of steel. "Name your price."
Rui smiled.
It had been a bit spontaneous, but everything had gone according to his plan. No other Martial Senior would have been able to get away with what Rui had just pulled off.
"I want ten times the amount of funds I'm getting," Rui calmly replied. "In return, I'll guarantee your breakthrough to the Squire Realm."
The Prince's eyes widened. "That's an enormous sum. I'm already supplying you close to a billion per annum!"
"I said I would guarantee you achieving Squire candidacy," Rui replied with a composed tone. "What's more important, the sheer amount of wealth that you undoubtedly have to spare as a member of the Royal Family or your breakthrough to the Squire Realm?"
"How can you possibly guarantee that?" The prince furrowed his eyebrows.
"It's because of your dedication and commitment to your Martial Art, Your Highness," Rui replied. "While unrefined due to a lack of experience, your Martial Art is overflowing with individuality. It shows that you have worked tirelessly on your Martial Art, imbuing it with your individuality, even if unrefined. Had you refined your individuality with experience, then you would have become a Martial Squire a long ago. I'm just getting rid of the final obstacle holding you back. It is your effort that has gotten you this far, Your Highness."
Rui smiled, lighting up the atmosphere a little.
"Stand Proud. You are strong."
The Martial Prince's eyes widened as Rui validated the years of futile effort that he put in. Effort that he had thought was in vain.
Rui had shown him the truth.
It wasn't in vain.
His labor would yield fruit.
Fruit that Rui Quarrier would personally deliver to him.
He pushed down the elation that emerged from deep within. The elation that threatened to overwhelm him with emotion. Yet he was far too dignified as a prince to let it overwhelm him in the presence of other people.
"If you can live up to your words, then I will give you what you seek," The Martial Prince promised.
"That isn't all that I want. That's just the beginning," Rui replied.
The Martial Prince frowned. Money was easy, even if this amount was particularly a lot. However, he could handle the money, he wasn't sure what else Rui wanted from him.
"Once you become a Martial Squire. I'm sure you're going to work hard to lobby support and influence away from your competitors. I'm sure you'll leverage the additional support you get to engage in a lot of sabotage, both active, covert, and everything in between." Rui replied. "What I want is for you to exclude the Sea Princess and the People's Prince from your counter-campaigning and sabotage operations."
Prince Raijun's eyes widened. "What?!"
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