Volume One: The Emperor’s Sword Chapter 72: The Son-in-law of the Brothel

At the entrance to the treasure vault, the senior disciple stood up hurriedly when he saw Yun Que, respectfully inviting him inside. He didn’t even ask what Yun Que had come to exchange, since he knew this guest was favored by the Elder of the Gate—he wouldn’t dare delay him.

Upon seeing the Elder again, Yun Que hadn’t spoken before the other offered his customary greeting. “You’re here, sir!” The Elder’s lips curled upward into a sheepish smile. “This time you’ve come at the right moment. Beyond magical tools, spirit pills, talismans, and techniques, we even have young ladies. Just say the word, and I guarantee you’ll be satisfied!”

For a moment, Yun Que wanted to step outside and check if he’d entered the Sword Palace’s treasure vault or wandered into a brothel. “Where did you find these young ladies?” Yun Que asked in curiosity.

“People aren’t kept here, naturally, but the transactions exist. Swapping vital yin for spirit stones is nothing shameful—everyone has emergencies. If you wish, you could pick out over ten fresh faces right here in the Sword Palace, quality guaranteed!” The Elder leered.

Yun Que was speechless. This fellow wasn’t a mountain spirit at all, but a madam from a brothel!

Yun Que, suspicious, asked, “Elder, are you truly a stone demon?”

At this, the Elder’s lips twisted high, his tone odd: “Stone demon? Yes, I’m a stone demon! My whole family is stone demons!” It was clear he was deeply dissatisfied with his identity, yet compelled to admit it for some reason, unable to deny it.

Regardless of what others thought, Yun Que didn’t believe the Elder was a mountain spirit or stone monster. This man was likely human—not only slick but immensely patient and shrewd.

Suppressing his curiosity, Yun Que stated his need for a storage pouch and flying swords.

“Please wait, sir!” The Elder’s mouth receded into the stone door, vanishing, then reappeared moments later, spitting out an item.

It was a ring that appeared quite ordinary, its surface bare of any patterns, resembling an iron band. Yet, when worn and infused with spiritual energy, it revealed a vast storage space within—equal to the size of a courtyard!

“A high-grade storage ring!” Yun Que exclaimed in surprise.

It wasn’t that he lacked experience, but storage magic items were notoriously expensive. The lowest-grade storage pouch, though cheap, held only a chest’s worth—barely any room. Mid-grade pouches could hold a room’s worth, costing a hundred times more, starting at a hundred spirit stones. High-grade pouches were pricier still, their space expanded to a courtyard, unattainable without a thousand spirit stones.

This storage ring in Yun Que’s hand had the space of a high-grade storage pouch!

Wait!

Upon closer inspection, Yun Que discovered the ring could be activated on another side, revealing an even larger space. This area, however, was shrouded in mist and exuded a chilling aura, distinct from the storage space.

“Spirit beast space!” Yun Que was amazed.

He hadn’t expected the ring to have dual storage functions—not only for items but also replacing the spirit beast pouch, suitable for housing living creatures like spirit beasts and monsters. A high-grade storage pouch alone cost nearly a thousand spirit stones; a high-grade beast pouch was even more expensive. A ring combining both would fetch a staggering price.

A marvelous item!

Yun Que eyed it greedily, turning the ring in his hand as he asked, “How do I exchange for it?”

He had plenty of soul stones—a dead asset unless traded for useful treasures.

“No hurry, let’s settle everything at the end. You wanted flying swords, sir? What style, grade, and how many?” The Elder, now like an eager shopkeeper, kept a pleasant smile, his service impeccable.

Yun Que pondered a moment. “Style and grade don’t matter—the more, the better.”

He wanted swords not to use, but to devour; style and grade were irrelevant. Quantity was key.

The Elder called out in affirmation, and his mouth vanished from the stone door.

This time, Yun Que waited nearly the length of a cup of tea before the Elder’s mouth reappeared, opening wide to spit out a storage pouch.

No other items.

Where were the flying swords?

Yun Que was puzzled, but upon opening the pouch, he was stunned.

It was a mid-grade storage pouch, holding space equal to a room, and filled entirely with flying swords!

He counted—three hundred in total!

Three hundred flying swords, all mid-grade, their value exceeding ten thousand spirit stones!

Even buying a single mid-grade flying sword from the artifact master Si Ruonan at a friendly rate would cost thirty spirit stones minimum—elsewhere, far more.

The Elder had produced three hundred mid-grade flying swords at once—astonishing.

This far surpassed the value of a single mid-grade detoxifying pill; ten thousand spirit stones was a sky-high price, even for a Core Formation cultivator.

Yun Que doubted the Elder would give him so many swords for free.

If last time’s detoxifying pill was meant to curry favor for future soul stone transactions, that made sense. But this time, the value was outrageous—surely not a gift.

Yun Que gripped the pouch. “What do you want in exchange? Name your price.”

These swords were perfect nourishment for him; he never minded having too many.

“Nothing in exchange—take them, sir.” The Elder smiled awkwardly.

“Another free gift?” Yun Que asked, surprised. “Aren’t you afraid the Sword Chief will learn of this and destroy your soul?”

“Not worried. I’m not giving these for nothing. Sir, you have plenty of valuables deposited in the vault—sent in half a month ago, three hundred carts’ worth. That’s more than enough for these swords.” The Elder explained.

Upon hearing of three hundred carts of valuables, Yun Que immediately realized it was Mu Qingyao’s bridal dowry.

“Those things aren’t mine,” Yun Que said plainly.

He had no intention of coveting a girl’s belongings—that would be petty. But as for the well-informed Elder, Yun Que was impressed.

A broken door, yet he knew everything, even the engagement between Yun Que and Mu Qingyao.

“Oh, sir, don’t be so modest. Forget the dowry—when your father-in-law passes, the whole Mu family will be yours! If anyone protests, remember to act decisively—pick the loudest troublemaker as an example, and the rest will fall in line.”

The Elder spoke with the ease of an insider, leaving Yun Que amazed. Not only was he familiar with brothel ways, but he understood the inner workings of wealthy clans—as though he’d married into one himself.

This Elder seemed every bit a son-in-law who spent years in a brothel.

Yun Que waved, interrupting the Elder’s advice.

“I don’t need Mu family’s dowry, nor do I wish to borrow it. I know you need soul stones. Tell me, how many do you want?” Yun Que asked directly.

“A son-in-law unwilling to swallow his father-in-law’s estate is no good…” the Elder muttered, then said, “Just one soul stone is enough.”

“One soul stone isn’t equal to three hundred flying swords,” Yun Que replied, half-smiling.

A common soul stone was worth at most a thousand spirit stones, while three hundred flying swords exceeded ten thousand. The values were not equivalent.

Yun Que, no fool, saw the Elder must have other motives to take such a loss.

“Three hundred flying swords aren’t worth much. Better to let them gather dust in the vault than place them in the hands of one who understands swords; only then can they realize their full potential,” the Elder sighed, sounding like a true mentor.

Since he didn’t mind, Yun Que wouldn’t press further. A windfall shouldn’t be refused.

Before handing over the soul stone, Yun Que glanced at the tall stone door. “Is there a body refinement technique in the vault?”

Yun Que had long wanted to cultivate a body refinement method. A stronger body could absorb sword energy; if he ever ran out of swords to eat, others could slash him with sword energy.

Flying swords were valuable; sword energy was not.

If his body could be trained to rival magical artifacts or even treasures, he could stir up trouble anywhere—a truly lasting solution.

When it came to attracting enmity, Yun Que was adept.

Upon hearing Yun Que’s desire for a body refinement method, the Elder’s expression immediately turned quite peculiar.