“This is an entirely valid concern of yours,” Rui nodded. “It is absolutely true that we possess the ability to leave this island at any point we want.”
Senior K’Mala’s expression relaxed slightly at those words. She was afraid that the outsiders would deny this in an attempt to deceptively hide their capabilities and placate the G’ak’arkan Tribe.𝚘𝑣xt.𝑐𝓞𝚖
However, the fact that Rui openly admitted to this straightforwardly was a good sign, it meant that they did not have any intentions of deceiving the G’ak’arkan Tribe by leaving the moment they got their hands on the techniques of the G’ak’arkan Tribe regardless of whether they had paid their end of the deal or not.
“We have accounted for this concern that you have brought up,” Rui continued. “One way can accommodate it is by fulfilling our part of the bargain before you do yours, regardless of what agreement we come up with. This way, we cannot ever deceive you by swiftly evacuating from this island at any given point.”
K’Mala raised an eyebrow at that. It was quite relieving for her to hear that they were willing to make that concession. By fulfilling their end of the agreement before the G’ak’arkan Tribe, it was indeed impossible for them to get away with deceiving the G’ak’arkan by retreating from the island at a particular moment.
On the other hand, it meant that they were supremely confident that the G’ak’arkan Tribe would not use that advantage to their benefit.
(‘Is it that they believe that we wouldn’t, or that we couldn’t even if we wanted to?’) She couldn’t help but wonder.
It was true, but the G’ak’arkan Tribe did not possess the ability to trick the Martial Union in the same way. After all, they did not possess any ability to retreat from the island, they possessed no naval capabilities whatsoever. They were going nowhere, and the Martial Union knew it.
Of course, the Martial Squires and the Martial Seniors did have the ability to leave the island by sky-walking, the Martial Union could rest assured that these Martial Artists wouldn’t even dream of leaving the Martial Apprentices and the civilians of their tribe as they escaped away from their island. The G’ak’arkan Tribe possessed an immense amount of cohesiveness with each other. They had to, who else could they rely on on an island where everybody else was trying to kill them?
That was why the diplomatic team had few compunctions granting this condition to the G’ak’arkan Tribe. It was of no consequence.
“If you of the Martial Union are truly willing to make that concession, then I can only be relieved by the sincerity that you are showing in this agreement,” She said with appreciation. “We will graciously accept your offer.”
Rui nodded, smiling. “That’s good to hear. Then is that also an indication that the G’ak’arkan Tribe is accepting our trade offer?”
“Not yet…” She admitted. “One concern that we have is whether you are willing to disclose all of the techniques that we have witnessed your Martial Artists using in the past. Particularly the more powerful ones that we are interested in.”
“Of course, we are willing, on the condition that the G’ak’arkan Tribe also reciprocates all of its techniques,” Rui smiled. “We will reciprocate the sincerity that you show us. I hope that we can come to an agreement for a full-fledged exchange between both sides. Doing so will only be of greater benefit to both sides.”
“Do you want all of our techniques?” She frowned.
“Not exactly… We are hoping that you will be willing to exchange any or all of your techniques without restriction. It would be troublesome if after confirming the intent to exchange techniques, we discovered that the minority of techniques that you are unwilling to disclose happen to include all of the techniques that we do desire, while the techniques that you are willing to disclose to us are of no interest.” Rui explained. “As long as you are willing to exchange any of the techniques that you have, you can rest assured that the Martial Union will also be open to exchanging any of the techniques that we have demonstrated in the past few techniques.”
“I see…”
“Of course, we will still want to make fair and equal trades regardless.”
“What are the techniques that you desire?” She asked with some degree of uncertainty.
“We are willing to disclose what techniques we seek, but I think it would be more productive if both sides are aware of what the other side wants,” Rui stated perfunctorily. “I believe it is best if we make a simultaneous exchange of the lists of techniques that we desire from each other.”
Rui did not want to disclose the specifics of what they wanted too soon. Handing over that information to them prior to establishing a final agreement to cooperate would be giving them undue initiative in the discussions. Once the means of exchange were confirmed and ironed out, only then was it fit to talk about the actual trades and exchanges that would be occurring.
Of course, if the G’ak’arkan Tribe was willing to divulge the techniques that they were interested in, then Rui didn’t mind also doing the same.
“How do you want us to exchange techniques exactly?” She asked. “We pass on our techniques to our descendants by personally training them in it. We do not possess any physical form containing the techniques.”
“I see… In that case, training our Martial Artists will be just fine.” Rui nodded. “We are also willing to train your Martial Artists.”
“But we do not speak the same language…”
“We have translators on our side. It will be difficult and long. However, once it is completed, then both sides will permanently become stronger than ever before. Thus, it is worth it,” Rui nodded.
“Hm…” She considered the matter, losing a bit of apprehension.
The meeting proceeded as Senior K’Mala went through the list of issues and concerns that had already been discussed in the village some while ago.