Chapter 60 The Quenton Mercer Branch Faces a Crisis!

Chapter 60: Chapter 61: The Quenton Mercer Branch Faces a Crisis!

Just as Eamon Strake was feeling puzzled, he suddenly noticed a familiar figure seated on the back of the white crane.

It was an elegant man dressed in white robes as pristine as snow. He sat cross-legged, carrying the calm air of an immortal who had descended into the mortal world.

"Clan Head?"

Eamon’s pupils contracted. His lips parted slightly as disbelief spread across his face.

He had never expected to see Julian Mercer riding a Star Wheel Realm Spirit Beast.

A shocking thought suddenly crossed his mind.

Could this Spirit Beast be the Clan Head’s mount?

Eamon’s heart trembled.

Julian had not only reached Perfected Sword Intent and defeated him with a single casual strike, but he also possessed a Star Wheel Realm Spirit Beast as a mount.

The Mercer Family Patriarch was truly mysterious and unfathomable.

Eamon sighed inwardly before calming himself.

Now that he had become a retainer of the Mercer Family, its strength would only benefit him. The stronger the family became, the greater his own chances of gaining something from it.

Perhaps, if he served the Mercer Family well, he might receive a rare opportunity of his own.

Breaking through to Perfected Sword Intent might no longer be an impossible dream.

Even the legendary Sword Heart Realm might be within his reach.

Once he reached the Sword Heart Realm and earned the title of Sword Marquis, becoming famous throughout Ravenholt Province would only be a matter of time!

...

Crownfall Mountain, at the foot of the mountain.

The sun was setting, and golden light spread across the land.

Inside the marketplace, people from various families and Sects had gathered in large numbers.

They stood in groups, whispering among themselves and glancing from time to time at the bluestone stairs leading to the Mercer Family’s mountain gate.

Everyone was waiting for the outcome of the sword duel between the two sword masters. They expected Eamon Strake to come down the mountain at any moment.

Yet several hours passed, and neither sword master appeared.

The crowd grew increasingly puzzled.

What had happened up there?

No matter how powerful the two sides were, a sword duel should have ended by now. Why had it taken so long?

Could something unexpected have happened on Crownfall Mountain?

Everyone had their own guesses, but no one could reach a conclusion.

After waiting for so long, many were growing impatient.

Finally, a burly man could no longer stand the suspense. He gathered his courage, stepped out from the crowd, and climbed the bluestone stairs toward the mountain gate.

Not long after, the stout man returned.

The moment he reached the marketplace, everyone surrounded him.

"How is it? Did you hear anything?"

"That’s right! Did Sword Grandmaster Julian win, or did Sword Master Eamon win?"

"The duel has gone on for hours. Has there still been no result?"

The stout man looked at the anxious faces around him. After recalling what he had just learned from the Mercer Family members guarding the mountain gate, he spoke in a deep voice.

"I just asked the Mercer Family guards. Sword Master Eamon was defeated by Sword Grandmaster Julian with a single strike several hours ago, shortly after he went up the mountain..."

His words struck the crowd like thunder.

Everyone was stunned.

That was Eamon Strake, the renowned left-handed sword cultivator whose name had spread throughout the surrounding region!

He had spent more than a decade building his reputation. Countless sword cultivators admired him, and many considered him one of the finest swordsmen in the region.

It was already surprising that he could not defeat Julian, whose reputation had risen so quickly.

But to lose after a single strike?

The difference between them was beyond everyone’s expectations.

As shock spread across the crowd, someone suddenly asked,

"If Sword Master Eamon was defeated hours ago, why hasn’t he come down the mountain?"

The question brought everyone back to their senses.

"That’s strange. So much time has passed, yet we haven’t even seen him."

"Could Sword Grandmaster Julian have killed him after defeating him?"

"That’s possible. I’ve heard that Sword Grandmaster Julian is ruthless. Back when he lived in Wexford City, he slaughtered an entire rival family. Some even claim that not a single living creature escaped the massacre. Even the chickens and ducks were killed, anthills were flooded with boiling water, and earthworms were cut in half!"

The rumors grew more outrageous with every passing moment.

Seeing that the crowd was getting carried away, the stout man decided to end their speculation.

"There’s no need to guess. Sword Master Eamon hasn’t come down because he has already accepted Sword Grandmaster Julian’s offer. He has agreed to join the Mercer Family and become one of its retainers!"

The moment his words fell, the noisy marketplace fell silent.

Everyone stared at him, their minds struggling to process the news.

Several breaths passed before the crowd finally recovered.

Then a wave of shocked voices erupted.

"What? Even Sword Master Eamon has joined the Mercer Family?"

"Forget his cultivation for a moment. Have you forgotten his temperament? He’s always kept to himself. How could someone like him submit to the Mercer Family?"

"Exactly! This makes no sense. Three years ago, a powerful Sect with a Moon Wheel Realm expert tried to recruit him as an Elder. They offered him all sorts of benefits, yet he refused!"

"Then what kind of influence does Clan Head Julian possess? How did he convince someone like Eamon to abandon his wandering life and remain in the Mercer Family as a retainer?"

"Times have changed. The Crownfall Mercer Family already has Sword Grandmaster Julian, and now Sword Master Eamon has joined them as well. Who in this region would dare oppose them?"

The discussion grew louder, drawing even more people into the crowd.

The Mercer Family now had two renowned sword masters protecting it. Its strength and influence had risen to a level that few forces in the surrounding region could match.

If a dominant power of this scale decided to expand its influence, how could the smaller families and Sects resist?

Unease spread across the faces of the people gathered there.

Once they understood what this news meant, members of the various families and Sects began leaving the marketplace.

They mounted their horses and hurried home, eager to report the shocking news to their respective leaders.

As the news spread, the marketplace gradually emptied.

Before long, only a handful of ordinary people without family or Sect backing remained.

...

Meanwhile, far away from Crownfall Mountain.

Quenton City, Mercer Family Branch.

Inside the council hall, many members of the Mercer Family branch had gathered.

Their faces were filled with fear. Most kept their heads lowered, occasionally glancing toward the man seated across from them.

He wore luxurious clothes and had soft, delicate features that gave him an effeminate appearance.

Sitting in the grand master’s chair, the man held a teacup in his right hand. He raised it to his lips and took a leisurely sip.

But after tasting the tea, his expression changed.

With a casual flick of his wrist, he threw the teacup to the floor.

It shattered, scattering pieces of porcelain across the hall.

"Is this the fine tea your Mercer Family serves to its guests?"

He glanced at the broken cup with disdain.

"It tastes like chewing wax, and its texture is terrible. Is this the kind of tea you prepare for livestock?"

His eyes swept across the gathered family members.

"Or is this how your Mercer Family treats its guests?"