Volume One: The Emperor’s Sword Chapter 42: Elder of the Gate

The Sword Palace treasury was a square stone hall, situated on the northern side of the Palace, adjacent to the North Court.

It did not take long for Yun Que to arrive there.

The treasury had no windows, only a heavy door, and was dedicated to storing all kinds of spiritual herbs and materials; among them, the most abundant were flying swords.

It was said that the Sword Palace’s treasury housed over a thousand flying swords!

Disciples and followers could exchange sword tassels earned from completing tasks, and could also purchase items with spirit stones.

However, the prices in the Sword Palace’s treasury were somewhat higher than market rates, so few disciples chose to trade there.

It was far more cost-effective to visit the market.

After calling for the door to be opened, Yun Que saw an elderly disciple, his beard white, yawning drowsily.

“So late at night and you still come to the treasury? Can’t it wait until tomorrow?” he grumbled.

Seeing his attire marked him as a Sword Palace disciple, Yun Que cupped his hands in respect.

“I’m truly in a hurry, senior brother. Please bear with me. I’ll leave as soon as I’ve exchanged the item, I promise not to delay your rest.”

The elderly disciple rubbed his eyes. “Alright, what do you want to exchange? I’ll help you look.”

“I’d like to exchange for a Soul Stone,” Yun Que stated his purpose.

“What did you say?” The old disciple suddenly perked up, surprised.

“Soul Stone,” Yun Que repeated.

Upon hearing clearly, the senior gave Yun Que a thoughtful look, his tone weary. “Soul Stones are extremely precious, a rare material in the Sword Palace treasury. You’re just a sword servant, aren’t you? Can you afford a Soul Stone?”

Yun Que did not explain further and directly produced a sword stone.

“This is… the sword stone from Miss Xue of the North Court!” The old disciple recognized its origin at a glance.

To be the gatekeeper of the Sword Palace treasury, he had seen countless treasures—identifying the sword stone was hardly surprising.

“The senior sister has instructed me to use the sword stone as collateral to exchange for a Soul Stone, with the intention to redeem it later when possible.”

Yun Que made his words clear, paving the way for his senior sister.

Collateral was not a direct exchange, more akin to pledging at a pawnshop—certainly meant to be redeemed after a period.

The elderly disciple shook his head, troubled.

“No?” Yun Que was puzzled. “Is the sword stone not enough for a Soul Stone? If there’s a difference, just name the amount.”

He was prepared to pay out of pocket.

Xue Ziyi’s condition could not endure much longer. If the ghost creature broke free from the formation, all three within the hall would be in danger.

The old disciple sighed, not rushing to explain. He beckoned Yun Que deeper into the stone hall.

“It’s not that I won’t exchange it, but I lack the authority. I only handle regular materials. For rare items like Soul Stones, you must ask it.”

As he spoke, the old disciple led Yun Que to a golden door beneath the stone hall.

There was no one else in sight, and Yun Que found the situation increasingly odd.

Following the elder’s gesture, he saw only a thick, golden stone door.

“The Soul Stones are inside? Who’s in charge here?” Yun Que asked.

“Right in front of you, ahem.” The old disciple glanced at the golden door and lowered his voice. “Remember to speak respectfully.”

Yun Que grew more confused. There was no one present—why the need for courtesy?

Seeing Yun Que unmoved, the old disciple suddenly recalled something and slapped his own forehead.

“Old fool! You must be a newly inducted disciple, no wonder you don’t know. I didn’t explain properly.”

He pointed to the golden door, his tone reverent. “All the precious items in the Sword Palace treasury are managed by the Elder Gatekeeper. To exchange or purchase, you must obtain the Elder’s permission.”

“Elder Gatekeeper?”

Yun Que eyed the golden stone door with suspicion. “Don’t tell me it’s this door itself?”

The old disciple shuddered at the words ‘broken door,’ but it was too late to stop him.

With a creak, the golden door split open with a crooked gap, like a mouth, and then—astonishingly—it spoke.

“You’re the broken door! Your whole family is broken doors!”

The voice was like metal scraping metal, grating and eerie.

A talking stone door—such a thing was unheard of!

If Yun Que weren’t so bold, he would have leapt away in fright.

“It can speak! Is it a demon beast?” Yun Que blurted.

The mouth on the golden door opened again, producing another metallic rasp.

“You’re the demon beast! Your whole family are demon beasts!”

The old disciple quickly pulled Yun Que away, fearing the brash youth might say something else to offend the door—a matter not to be taken lightly.

Once safely away, the elder sighed.

“Ah, the Elder Gatekeeper is terribly stingy. If you upset it, exchanging anything becomes a real ordeal.”

From him, Yun Que learned the origins of the so-called Elder Gatekeeper.

It turned out the Elder Gatekeeper was indeed a door.

More precisely, it was a stone demon.

Years ago, a powerful stone spirit beast had been slain by Sword Palace masters. Its body was refined to form the treasury’s main entrance, renowned for its durability.

After its transformation, they discovered a remnant of the stone demon’s soul remained. Though only a wisp, it possessed intelligence.

The elders planned to destroy the soul, but the Swordmaster argued against it, insisting the stone demon’s impartial nature made it the ideal guardian for the treasury—ensuring it would never fall prey to corruption or theft.

Thus, the stone demon’s soul was preserved, bound to the door as the core of the treasury, and over time, disciples came to call it the Elder Gatekeeper.

Learning this, Yun Que was astonished.

Such wonders existed in the world!

Since the treasury was governed by the Elder Gatekeeper, Yun Que had no choice but to negotiate with it for the Soul Stone.

He returned to the stone door.

This time, he was far more respectful, bowing with cupped hands.

“Disciple has only just entered the Sword Palace, unaware of the treasury’s uniqueness. Elder Gatekeeper, please forgive me—I urgently need to exchange for a Soul Stone.”

“Well, well, dipped in honey now, are you? Earlier, who called me a broken door and a demon beast?” The door’s mouth curled up in disdain.

Yun Que felt a headache coming on.

This thing held grudges?

Wasn’t it supposed to be impartial and fair?

It didn’t seem the least bit just.

“Please forgive my ignorance, Elder Gatekeeper. I offer my apologies,” Yun Que bowed again.

“That’s more like it. So, you want a Soul Stone? Do you know what a Soul Stone is!” The door’s mouth twisted as it rambled on.

“Soul Stones are formed from the celestial bones of deceased demon beasts, weathered over many years. They contain the soul force of the beast, nourishing the soul, extremely rare. Even the poorest quality fetches hundreds of spirit stones, the finer ones can cost thousands! Only one remains in the Sword Palace treasury, and a mere sword servant like you can’t afford it.”

Yun Que presented the sword stone. “I offer this as collateral, to be redeemed later.”

“An old, albeit exquisite, magical artifact—not worth a Soul Stone. No deal!” The door’s mouth curled up arrogantly.

Yun Que hadn’t expected the Elder Gatekeeper to bear such a grudge, refusing outright.

The old disciple tried to intercede. “The sword stone absolutely matches the value of a Soul Stone, Elder Gatekeeper—please reconsider.”

“I said no, and I mean it! Unless he adds another thousand spirit stones, it’s out of the question! Don’t even think of taking my Soul Stone!”

“My Soul Stone?” Yun Que caught the subtle difference, his gaze suspicious.

“I—I mean the Soul Stone under my care! What of it? I just won’t give it to you!” The door sounded angry for reasons unknown.

Yun Que nodded, a gentle smile appearing on his lips.

At last, he had found the Elder Gatekeeper’s weak spot.