The Martial Unity

Rui deeply read through the newspaper that had dedicated itself to going into the whens, wheres, and whats of Chairman Deacon's daily life.

On average, forty percent of his day was spent in an office in one of his branches, usually going through some paperwork, addressing reports from his various subordinates, and communicating with his various partners, associates, and allies over a multitude of matters.

He spent seven percent of his day traveling, on average. He had many branches across the Shionel Confederation handling local matters in that region that he often needed to travel to for important decision-making matters.

He also traveled internationally through high-speed motorized carriages that could travel at incredible speeds, allowing him to cover the vast expanses of the continent in relatively short amounts of time. He would often meet with international partners, governments, rulers, and even Martial Artists of the Upper Realms for a variety of important matters that required his personal intervention.

Within the Kandrian Empire, he would spent time at his recently expanded branches in the nation. He had always conducted business in the Kandrian Empire, however, what he was doing now was much, much more committal than what he did in other nations.

'In terms of when it is most optimal to attack him, that honestly depends on this particular section…' Rui narrowed his eyes as he arrived at the security measures section.

It was large enough that it had its own newspaper, the thickest one of the bunch with dozens of large pages.

'Just how much security does this man have?' Rui frowned as he opened up the newspaper.

The very first page was a section that talked about Chairman Deacon's security expenditure and its trends.

Rui's eyes widened at the sheer amount this man spent in order to secure his life or make the life of his assailant miserable.

Not only did the man spend an atrocious amount of money on security, but that amount had been increasing across the past seven years despite having plateaued prior to that.

'So as soon as he discovered my identity and realized I escaped seven years ago, he began beefing up his own personal protection…' Rui realized. 'He's been waiting for an assassination for the past seven years. But surely even he would come to think that it's never coming after seven years of searching.'

Apparently not, considering that the budget he spent this year was larger than any that he had ever spent in his entire life. Rui continued on as he arrived at the actual measures that Chairman Deacon had taken, themselves.

It had roughly been divided into preventive and protective. The former were measures that Chairman Deacon had taken to ensure that an attack would not happen at all, for whatever reasons.

Either due to the hundred million Shionel gold that he spent on surveillance measures that were meant to root out any assassins that were planning to ambush him, or the forces that would be pissed off if Chairman Deacon was assassinated, or the measures taken to ensure that anyone who did dare to even try assassinating the man would most certainly be trapped by the measures that Chairman Deacon publicly put in place to deter assailants.

Protective measures included a powerful armor that could protect the user from a lot of punishment.

Martial Senior bodyguards were highly qualified and trained in guarding protocols in addition to their Martial Art.

Powerful defensive measures whether they were fortified offices or fortified carriages. "Man…" Rui heaved a deep sigh. "He's paranoid that I'm going to try and kill him."

Then again, it wasn't paranoia since Rui had always planned to eliminate him. Still, such extensive protection did complicate things. Rui was grateful that he had yet to procure any protection from a Martial Master, that would make the assassination impossible unless he relied on indirect assassinations like Master Reina taught him.

Of course, Rui was sure that he thought he was on the safe side with all these preparations. He still thought that Rui was a Martial Squire and that these measures, while perhaps overkill for a Martial Squire, were worth it just to be safe. He couldn't have possibly imagined that Rui was already a high-grade Martial Senior. And not just any high-grade Martial Senior, but a high-grade Martial Senior that had received the tutelage of one of the greatest Martial Master assassins ever. With techniques like the Phantomind Void, Death's Sympathy, and Sympathetic Death lance, he had become a formidable force to make an enemy out of.

'Still…' Rui scratched his head. 'I've never undertaken an assassination this difficult.'

Rui hadn't even gotten to the end of the security section and he already felt that it was quite difficult. How difficult would it be by the time he finished reading through all of the security measures?

His expression only grew more grave before growing shocked as he read through.

'He had a quasi-Master-level explosive surgically inserted into his body, meant to explode the moment his heart stops beating?'

According to the Beggar's Sect, the bomb was meant to be powerful enough to kill even Martial Seniors, let alone Martial Squires. Chairman Deacon was determined to take whosoever killed him down with him.

'He's insane. Completely insane!' Rui was almost impressed at how vindictive this man was against those who came to claim his life. He was almost more willing to take him down with them rather than try to actually survive any attempt on his life.

Just the idea that he was willing to go so far to try and kill Rui, even at the cost of his own life, showed just how much venomous intensity he detested and hated Rui from the bottom of his heart. Had Rui not commissioned the Beggar's Sect for intelligence, he may very well have not found out and would have undoubtedly died at the man's hands.

There was a reason the man had come to be known as the Bloodhound. He would chase and chase and chase, bite, and never let go even if it meant going to hell.