Chapter 46: The World Martial Arts System

The martial arts of the island nation differ from those of the Han and Tang dynasties, yet the attitude of governments toward martial arts is much the same across all countries. Take the island nation, for example: its principal martial systems are Kendo, Ninjutsu, and Onmyodo—three major paths of martial cultivation. Kendo is divided into four ranks: Sword God, Sword Saint, Sword Master, and Swordsman. Ninjutsu has Shadow Ninja, Upper Ninja, Middle Ninja, and Lower Ninja. Onmyoji are classified as Celestial Master, Upper Rank, Middle Rank, and Lower Rank. These correspond to the universally recognized four realms of martial cultivation: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Mortal, each further split into early, middle, and peak stages.

Comparing Kendo, Ninjutsu, and Onmyodo, it’s difficult to say which is strongest at the same level. Kendo emphasizes offense, Ninjutsu focuses on stealth, and Onmyoji excel in sorcery—their differences are stark and clear.

Martial arts have their own independent administrative system. At the top is the World Martial Arts Alliance, followed by each country’s Martial Arts Society. In larger nations, there are further regional divisions; for example, the island nation has the Kanto and Kansai Martial Arts Societies, reflecting the political divide between east and west.

All domestic martial artists must undergo evaluation by the Martial Arts Society and register under their real names. The system tracks and controls them, and there are strict boundaries set between martial artists and ordinary citizens.

The simplest rule is that martial artists are absolutely forbidden from attacking ordinary people unless both sides are martial artists. Special operations must be filed in advance and approved by the Martial Arts Society before they can proceed.

Furthermore, the martial arts system strictly prohibits those above the Earth Realm from participating in any secular affairs without approval; thus, those active in the ordinary world are mostly Mortal and Profound level practitioners.

This is not only a matter of national security. In truth, there are few martial artists above the Earth Realm, and their main pursuit is further cultivation—they have little time for worldly distractions.

At this point, Xiao Kaitian had a rough understanding. “Then, regarding these four realms, what is their actual strength?”

“For the Mortal Realm, they’re generally stronger than ordinary special forces or mercenaries. Those in the Profound Realm have truly stepped into the path of martial arts, but they still can’t withstand modern firearms. In the Earth Realm, guns and explosives become ineffective. As for the Heaven Realm, I have no idea what level that really is,” Rin Hagiwara replied honestly, taking a sip of her coffee.

“So martial artists are not absolutely invincible in this world. The government’s power can still maintain a balance.”

Rin Hagiwara nodded. “That’s one way to look at it. There are two main reasons. First, no matter how powerful a martial artist is, they have family and friends.”

Put simply, even if you reached the Heaven Realm and were peerless, you could not live your whole life in solitude; loved ones become your weakness. Moreover, the state possesses weapons of mass destruction—something no individual could ever resist.

“But this is mutually understood. The martial world doesn’t discuss it, nor does the state. They keep each other in check,” Rin Hagiwara looked at Xiao Kaitian with interest. “Another way the state restrains martial artists is with the Mecha Corps.”

“Mecha Corps?” It was the first time Xiao Kaitian had heard the term.

“They select outstanding police or military officers to operate humanoid mechs. With current technology, these are roughly equivalent to mid-level Profound Realm practitioners. A few custom models can match the peak of the Profound Realm.”

Xiao Kaitian suddenly understood. So this is how they keep martial artists below the Earth Realm active in the mundane world—because the police and military have the means to control them.

Having grasped the relationship between the two sides, Xiao Kaitian asked, “Strictly speaking, the government’s power is still greater than that of martial artists, then.”

“It is the government, after all,” Rin Hagiwara did not object. She stirred her coffee, the silver spoon clinking crisply against the porcelain. “The balance is carefully maintained on both sides. That’s the gist of it.”

“Why allow martial artists to exist at all?”

“That’s unclear,” Rin Hagiwara frowned, searching her memory. “Martial artists have existed for a very long time. This is simply the way the world works. Why would you ask such a strange question?”

Xiao Kaitian didn’t answer, but changed the topic. “Then how does a martial artist improve their strength?”

“Different countries and martial traditions have different approaches, so there are some differences,” Rin Hagiwara patiently explained. She didn’t know why Xiao Kaitian was suddenly so interested—after all, he was a martial artist himself, wasn’t he? Shouldn’t he know all this already? The thought flashed in her mind, but she answered honestly. “The core is cultivation techniques, elixirs, or pills.”

Cultivation methods or mental techniques are the core heritage of every martial arts organization, passed down and refined over generations. They are the foundation for ongoing cultivation and progress.

Besides this, one can seek external aids—mainly elixirs like the Water of Power or various pills. Each country emphasizes different aids based on their circumstances. For example, the Han and Tang prioritize pills, while the island nation, influenced by the West, uses both elixirs and pills.

But whether it’s elixirs or pills, over the long term they all have side effects—unless, like Xiao Kaitian, one can expel harmful substances. So, in general, the most essential way for martial artists to advance is through the cultivation of their core techniques.

That’s also why martial artists above the Profound Realm are rarely seen—they devote nearly all of their time and energy to cultivation.

Now Xiao Kaitian finally understood the general structure of the world’s martial arts system. He rested his chin in his hands, eyes narrowed with calculation. “So, tell me, where can one obtain elixirs or pills?”

“It’s extremely difficult,” Rin Hagiwara sighed. “Most medicinal resources are controlled by the Martial Arts Society and distributed among trustworthy noble families. They hold regular trading events, where martial clans purchase what they need and turn them into elixirs or pills. For ordinary people, obtaining them is nearly impossible.”

She shot Xiao Kaitian a glare. “If you’re thinking of using your methods against the Six Leaves to seize these resources, that would mean declaring war on the entire Martial Arts Society—even the World Martial Arts Alliance.”

“Your intelligence is impressive,” Xiao Kaitian wiped his face. After so many robberies, the habit was hard to shake. He had indeed considered it, but the consequences were too dire.

“Besides,” Rin Hagiwara shook her head, “medicine alone is not enough. You also need other special ingredients to make something truly effective.”

“Oh? What special ingredients?” Xiao Kaitian’s eyes gleamed, as if he had found the key to the problem.