As Ron's departing figure faded into the distance, everyone was left stunned, their eyes wide with shock as they watched the kid heading towards a jewelry store.
"Look over there! Isn't that Inner Elder Chester from Sword Cliff?" someone exclaimed, finally noticing the old man chatting with a little girl and another man along Yone's path.
The man's words immediately drew everyone's attention as they followed his gaze.
"No wonder Deadly Fang's arrogant third heir backed off without torturing the kid as he usually does," one of the onlookers remarked, realization dawning on the crowd.
Understanding the reason behind the abrupt departure, the bystanders quickly lost interest and returned to their business.
As for Matheo's presence and the feud between the Albon clan and Sword Cliff, no one took it seriously.
A third-ranked clan was merely an ant compared to a first-ranked one. Despite the prestige it once had three years ago, it was all in the past. Now, the Albon clan was merely surviving thanks to Sword Cliff's mercy in not wiping it out completely.
Yone, who had finally reached Sara's position, couldn't help but glance back momentarily.
He had overheard the loud conversation and was surprised by their reaction to Matheo.
"It seems like the Albon clan's prestige and old domineering presence are long gone," Yone noted to himself, before greeting the two men.
"Hello, Sara. Who are these two people?" Yone asked, his gaze curious.
Before Sara could introduce them, Chester spoke up, "I'm Inner Elder Chester from Sword Cliff. You can just call me Chester."
Matheo was about to introduce himself when Chester cut him off again.
"This kid beside me is Matheo, Sara's father and the acting patriarch of the Albon clan."
Matheo coldly glared at Chester upon hearing the word "kid" but ultimately cupped his fists towards Yone with a forced smile.
He couldn't do much about this old man until he met the expert his father had mentioned. For now, he had to swallow his anger and frustration.
"I'm Yone Armend," Yone respectfully introduced himself.
Silence...
For the next few seconds, no one spoke as they scrutinized Yone from head to toe.
Yone didn't mind their behavior, knowing that experts often had this habit, especially when they took an interest in someone.
However, his heart shivered and brows knitted.
The two men's power was a cut above Albert, to the point not even Yone could see through them. It wasn't that his eyesight was poor, or the fact the old hid his power. The difference between them was just too deep.
'I see, so an expert of such caliber personally came to see me,' Thought Yone.
Sara on the side didn't dare to speak anymore, she had already finished her mission and told Chester what Yone instructed her to say.
The survival of her clan now rested entirely on Yone's abilities and how well he could bluff.
Unexpectedly, after a minute of silence, Yone was the first to speak, catching Chester and Matheo by surprise.
"Chester, can Sword Cliff cease its attack and suppression on the Albon clan?"
Yone was straightforward with his words, deliberately avoiding any mention of an imaginary clan backing him.
He knew full well that continuing to bluff could lead to dire consequences.
Instead, he opted for a different plan, one that would make things easier for him.
His body was still too young, and he couldn't risk being exposed as a liar. With a target already on his back from his parents, he didn't want to add another one.
Chester and Matheo weren't fools either and quickly understood the hidden meaning behind Yone's words.
'He's neither too overbearing nor passive. He really knows how to negotiate,' Chester thought, amused.
Yone question was simple to comprehend. In essence, he was asking, "What demands does Sword Cliff have in order to forgo its enmity with the Albon Clan?"
His carefully chosen words impressed Chester, making him glad he had come in person.
As for Matheo, he breathed a sigh of relief. For a moment, he had feared Yone might be an arrogant young master, like the reckless ones in his region, who could provoke Sword Cliff's wrath.
Even if Yone's clan had a deep background, the Albon Clan would be destroyed before anyone from Yone's side could reach the city. And even if they did arrive, there was no guarantee they would go all out for a minor clan in a small city at the edge of the northern region of Snow Lake Nation.
Noticing the smile on Chester's face, Yone inwardly relaxed as well.
He had been concerned that Sword Cliff's arrogance might blind them, leading them to find his words disrespectful.
It should be noted that Yone is just a seven-year-old kid in their eyes, and Chester had every right to consider his words out of place and kill him on the spot, disregarding any consequences.
Only those of similar strength or stronger from any clan had the right to speak of benefits and peace with Sword Cliff. Yone knew this well, which is why he opted for a more balanced approach.
Thankfully, Chester was a wise man and didn't look down on Yone. Otherwise, things might have taken a turn for the worse.
"I give you my word that Sword Cliff will never go against the Albon Clan in any way from this day onwards. I'll personally head to our headquarters as soon as possible and speak to the sect master about this," Chester promised with certainty, his words devoid of hesitation.
Yone found his confidence a bit suspicious. 'An inner elder promising such a significant thing seems wishful,' he thought.
He looked at Matheo, then at Sara. Understanding his unspoken question, Sara quickly moved next to him and whispered in his ear.
"He's Romeo's grandfather, the one I told you about earlier, ranked fourth in terms of raw strength in Sword Cliff."
Hearing Sara's words, Yone realized Chester's promise wasn't empty.
With his strength, which ranked among the top echelons of Snow Lake Nation, Chester indeed had the confidence to make such a significant promise.
Yone grinned as he responded, "What demands does Sword Cliff have for my clan?"