Chapter 19 No Interest in Being Someone Else’s Dog

Chapter 19: Chapter 19: No Interest in Being Someone Else’s Dog

Julian Mercer listened to Darius Fenwick’s offer without showing the slightest interest.

Unfortunately for the City Lord, Darius had no idea what was going through his mind. He continued explaining the supposed opportunity before him.

"But now, Patriarch Mercer, a chance to defy your fate has been placed right in front of you. Once you join us, you’ll gain the protection of a powerful faction. You won’t have to fear the Rourke Family of Ravenholt Province anymore, and you’ll have the opportunity to obtain a precious Profound Rank, Top Grade cultivation method."

Darius paused to let the promise sink in before continuing.

"Furthermore, if you earn the favor of that distinguished figure, obtaining an Earth Rank, Low Grade cultivation method isn’t out of the question. By then, reaching the Star Wheel Realm will no longer be an unattainable dream."

Julian remained unmoved.

Had his predecessor received such an offer, he might genuinely have been tempted. Back then, the Mercer Family Patriarch had desperately needed a more powerful cultivation method to advance further.

But Julian was a different matter entirely.

He had already mastered three Earth Rank, Top Grade cultivation methods. On top of that, he possessed a Heaven Rank, Top Grade sword technique.

The situation was almost comical.

It was like a beggar approaching a wealthy merchant with a grand proposal, promising that if the merchant joined his group and worked hard enough, he might eventually earn a few hundred coins by begging on the streets.

Julian had no reason to take the offer seriously.

Standing behind him, Adrian Mercer was having trouble keeping his expression under control.

If he hadn’t possessed considerable self-restraint, he would probably have burst out laughing.

The Patriarch has already given me two Earth Rank, Top Grade cultivation methods. Why would he care about a Profound Rank method that you consider a priceless treasure?

Compared with what Julian had already provided, even an Earth Rank, Low Grade cultivation method seemed almost commonplace.

Adrian had initially assumed that the faction Darius represented must be extraordinarily powerful. But after hearing the City Lord’s offer, he couldn’t help feeling disappointed.

So this is what they consider an irresistible opportunity?

As the conversation continued, Darius finally noticed that something was wrong.

Julian showed no interest in the cultivation method he had described as a rare treasure.

Even Adrian, a junior standing quietly behind his Patriarch, appeared completely unfazed.

Darius couldn’t understand it.

When he had first heard these conditions himself, he had been so excited that he couldn’t sleep for three consecutive nights.

Yet these two men were behaving as though he had offered them a few ordinary stones.

Sensing Darius’s growing confusion, Julian realized he might have been a little too indifferent.

He decided to steer the conversation in another direction.

"Then, City Lord, which faction do you actually represent?"

At the mention of this subject, Darius immediately pushed his doubts aside. His expression grew somewhat proud as he straightened in his chair.

"This isn’t much of a secret. The person I serve is the Prefectural Governor of Ravenholt Province."

He spoke with unmistakable reverence.

"That senior has reached the peak of the Moon Wheel Realm and possesses the potential to advance into the Sun Wheel Realm. The Imperial Court has even bestowed a noble title upon him. If you enter his service, the resources available to you will be beyond anything you could imagine."

Darius paused briefly before revealing the remaining conditions.

"Of course, all you need to do is demonstrate a little loyalty. First, you’ll relinquish your position as Patriarch. The person appointed by the Governor will take over the management of the Mercer Family."

His tone made this sound like a perfectly reasonable arrangement.

"Once you’ve done that, you won’t have to waste your time on trivial clan affairs anymore. You can concentrate entirely on cultivation, travel to Ravenholt Province’s administrative center, and follow the Governor’s arrangements. You’ll be able to serve him personally and receive the resources needed to advance."

As Darius continued speaking, Julian gradually understood the true nature of the organization.

It wasn’t technically slavery. There would be no formal contract of servitude bearing his signature.

But the conditions came remarkably close.

Cultivators who entered the Governor’s service were expected to surrender much of their freedom. They had to obey orders, accept assignments, and devote themselves to the interests of the faction. In practice, they were treated much like personal retainers or sworn warriors who could be sent into danger whenever necessary.

If they advanced to the Origin Sea Realm or Star Wheel Realm, their agreements would be revised. Their status would rise, and they would receive greater attention and more cultivation resources from the Governor.

Those who performed exceptionally well might even be appointed to important positions in cities throughout Ravenholt Province.

Darius himself had become the City Lord of Wexford City through this system.

For ordinary cultivators, such an arrangement was undoubtedly attractive. It offered protection, resources, advancement, and the chance to climb into a much higher circle of power.

For Julian, however, it was about as appealing as a tasteless piece of food that was too inconvenient to spit out.

He had no intention of surrendering control over his life, let alone handing the Mercer Family to some stranger appointed by a distant authority.

Before Darius could finish explaining the benefits, Julian interrupted him.

"I’m not interested. There’s no need to bring this up again."

Darius’s expression froze.

For a moment, he wondered whether he had misheard.

He stared at Julian in disbelief.

"Patriarch Mercer, are you joking with me?"

He genuinely couldn’t understand how the head of a small family could reject such an opportunity so casually.

Julian didn’t bother answering immediately.

He settled back into his chair, picked up the teacup resting on the wooden table, and took an unhurried sip.

Then he glanced at the tea.

"It’s gone a little cold. And it’s getting late. Since the City Lord has official duties to attend to, you should return early."

The meaning couldn’t have been clearer.

He was asking Darius to leave.

Darius’s face darkened.

He had patiently explained the offer because he believed Julian would recognize its value and agree to join them. He had expected gratitude, perhaps even eager acceptance.

Instead, Julian had dismissed the entire matter with a single sentence.

The humiliation stung.

Darius’s expression turned ugly, and his voice suddenly erupted with anger.

"Audacious! Julian Mercer, I took you for an intelligent man, but it seems I was mistaken. You’ve made an incredibly foolish decision!"

His voice thundered through the council hall.

"Do you have any idea what kind of disaster your decision will bring down upon the Mercer Family?"

The powerful aura radiating from Darius spread throughout the room.

Adrian’s expression tightened.

The difference in their cultivation realms exerted tremendous pressure on him. His face gradually turned pale, and his breathing became increasingly difficult. It felt as though an invisible weight were pressing down on his entire body.

Then, just as the pressure threatened to overwhelm him, a familiar, scorching aura descended.

It was warm and powerful, carrying the majesty of a blazing sun.

The suffocating pressure vanished as though it had never existed.

Adrian immediately felt his body relax. His breathing returned to normal, and relief flashed through his eyes.

The Patriarch!

Julian had protected him again.

Adrian’s heart filled with renewed confidence.

As the auras of two Purple Mansion cultivators clashed, Julian finally raised his eyes toward Darius.

His expression remained calm.

"Why make things difficult for a junior, City Lord?"

Darius gave a cold snort.

"I didn’t expect you to have reached the fifth layer of the Purple Mansion Realm. It seems I underestimated you."

His eyes narrowed.

"But I’m curious. How much have you actually mastered your combat techniques?"

His face was as cold as winter frost, and a faint trace of killing intent seeped into his voice.

The humiliation he had suffered today could not go unanswered. He was determined to make Julian pay for his arrogance.

Julian didn’t react.

He simply lowered his teacup and placed it gently on the wooden table.

The unhurried movement only made Darius angrier.

Julian was treating him as though he were nothing more than an insignificant visitor who had interrupted his afternoon tea.

Unable to tolerate the contempt any longer, Darius attacked.

Without another word, he lunged forward and appeared directly in front of Julian.

The distance between them was less than three meters.

A fierce light flashed in Darius’s eyes as he swung his arm and drove a powerful punch toward Julian’s face.

Julian didn’t move.

He made no attempt to dodge or defend himself.

Darius was momentarily surprised.

Has he been frightened into immobility?

His fist continued forward, closing the remaining distance.

It was only two fingers away from Julian’s face when the situation suddenly changed.

Zheng!

A terrifying Sword Intent erupted from Julian’s body.

It was formless and intangible, yet its presence swept through the entire council hall with overwhelming force.

Under the influence of that Sword Intent, Julian seemed to transform into a peerless divine sword, its edge capable of cutting through everything in its path.

Countless wisps of razor-sharp Qi spread outward, filling the hall with an invisible killing force.

Darius’s fist stopped just short of Julian’s face.

For the first time since entering the Mercer estate, the City Lord realized that he might have made a terrible mistake.