The Martial Unity

An entire day had gone by as Rui slowly caught up with each of the members of the Orphanage. With so many years having gone by, each of them had many stories to share. Many of them had gotten married, and many of them had managed get enter new occupations and make a better living. There were simply too many tales to tell, a single was far from enough. The community of the Quarrier Orphanage had spread in this little region as many of the kids from Rui's generation had also grown up.

"You've created your own orphanage, Nina?" Rui's eyes widened with surprise.

"Mhm, we tried expanding our home, but the construction group that Julian had approached told us that there were many issues with trying to expand the Quarrier home into a bigger home, so ultimately I decided to have another one built right beside it," Nina smirked, evidently proud of herself. "Of course, it hasn't been easy, but all those years helping mom has given me good experience."

"Wow…" Rui murmured. "At this rate, it won't be another generation before we will be big enough to become a village. Maybe we can call it the Quarrier Village."

"Hehehe…" Nina smirked. "You should speak to mother about that. I'm sure she'd love that."

He didn't doubt those words either. His mother had always been fiercely driven when it came to children. If she could get away with creating an orphanage village that accepted tons of homeless children, he knew that she would do it in a heartbeat.

Still, it got him thinking. 'A village is pretty doable,' Rui pondered to himself. 'Especially with Julian and I funding it.'

He had no doubt that Julian was earning handsomely, and as a Martial Senior, he easily earned enough to buy entire villages if he wanted.

For now, he decided to keep the idea aside, perhaps he could approach Lashara with it at another time.

Eventually, Julian arrived home. Rui found it admirable that after all these years, he still resided in the original orphanage building, although he had clearly expanded his own cabin to fulfill his needs and requirements. He froze when he ran into Rui, shocked and speechless.

"Hehehe, look who came back, Julian." Alice teased him. "We kept it a secret from you so it could be a surprise."

Rui studied Julian carefully. He could tell that the man had been under some stress lately with a gaunter face and eye bags under his eyes. Still, that didn't halt his joy. If anything, he appeared even more joyful

"I knew it…I knew that you would return. I always did," He whispered as his eyes watered. "It's been long."

"Far too long…" Rui sighed. "I'm sorry for that. I truly am."

He glanced at Rui. "Come. Walk with me outside. I want to catch up with you."

The two of them strolled around the area as Rui took his time studying the new humble houses that had been constructed in the vicinity. He had to admit, it did add a sense of community and belonging that perhaps was not there before.

"You know, I brought you out here because the others would hit me if they heard what I have to tell you. Especially mother," Julian smiled wryly. "They love and adore you far too much. They're also indebted to you far too much. They could never bring themselves to tell you what I am going to."

Rui didn't reply. He had a feeling he knew where this was going. He didn't intend to stop it.

"I am the only one in a position to tell you. That is why I must be the one to tell you," He stopped on the spot.

Rui turned, staring straight at him.

"We love you, and we always will. However…" His eyes sharpened by a few degrees. "Your actions put the entire orphanage in danger. I know that you are more than intelligent enough to understand the ramifications of your actions. I know that you understand the risks of picking a fight with a powerful business tycoon with a known reputation to be ruthlessly persevering in his vengeance. Yet, you nonetheless did it. And worse, you ended up putting the innocent children and the brothers and sisters, who grew up with you and took care of you when you were a child, at risk. You put your own mother at risk."

Rui's expression fell at those words as an expression of guilt and remorse emerged on his face.

"I am grateful that you have secured incredible protection for the Orphanage, but you should know better than anyone that it isn't absolute. What if Chairman Deacon had succeeded in killing Mother while she shopped for the monthly groceries in Hajin? What if that madman had massacred the Orphanage by deploying a Martial Master? If that had happened, your return to the Orphanage would become the worst day of your life instead of one of the best," Julian's tone was composed and calm, yet unwaveringly firm. He wasn't venting the emotional turmoil that he had undoubtedly felt over the past eight years. His criticism of Rui came from a place of thought and not emotion.

"I'm aware that the life of a Martial Artist comes with many risks. Risking death is bread and butter. I am aware. However, you need to remember you chose those risks, not your family. You have a responsibility to ensure that the risks you take only extend to you, and no further," Julian firmly asserted. "Our family…they deserve to not suffer the consequences of your actions."

Rui could tell he was willing to fight with Rui over this matter if Rui pushed back refusing to accept any of his words. Rui was not that shameless, however.

In the first place, everything he said was absolutely correct as far as Rui was concerned. It was a fact that Rui was willing to risk his life as a Martial Artist. It was also a fact that he could not put his family at risk just because he himself was taking risks. It was a fact that he had a responsibility to ensure his actions only affected him, and not innocent loved ones who had nothing to do with his choices.

Rui bowed his head. "You're right. In every way. I'm not even going to pretend that it isn't as bad as it seemed or anything like that. The fact of the matter is that I put my family in more danger than even you realize. I have already ensured taken steps and measures to ensure that such a thing will never happen again."