Should I replace Emergency brake cable?
 

I notice something like a pipe or a cable hanging down underneath my car , near the rear left tire. Took it to a repair shop . They lifted my car up and checked and told me it is the cable for emergency brake . One is detached , hanging down and other one is in bad shape. Quoted $530 for replacement and labor for both but he told me unless I use the emergency brake it is not important . He told me E brake is not the one we use regularly and He advices me to save my money and skip it. He used something like a string to push it back. Very honest they are. Pls educate me what this is and if I should have replaced this or did the right by saving my money . Thank you