Chapter 38: Beneath the Imperial Palace, the Ancestral Emperor Left a Gate

The secret chamber deep within the Imperial Palace had been heavily sealed off by the Imperial Guard for many years.

After the Emperor died, Wei Chong handed over the key to the secret chamber.

This former eunuch, who once held absolute power within the inner court, now knelt before Jiang Che, his face ashen and despairing.

"Young Master, this servant knows he deserves to die."

Jiang Che looked at him.

Wei Chong pressed his forehead to the ground: "This servant has transmitted edicts, harmed people, and shielded the Emperor from many sins. But before the Lu'an Sacrificial City, this servant truly did not know of the Heavenly Gate Pact."

Chen Shanhe snorted coldly: "One word of 'not knowing' and you think you can live?"

Wei Chong gave a bitter smile: "This servant does not ask to live."

"I only ask to take the Young Master to see one thing before I die."

After the secret chamber door opened, a wave of decaying golden Qi rushed to their faces.

Jiang Che, Xie Tingxue, Chen Shanhe, and Gu Chongming entered together.

The walls of the secret chamber were carved with ancient Runes.

In the center, what was enshrined was not a deity statue, but a three-foot-tall Golden Gate.

The small gate had grown dim, yet it still emitted a disgusting aura.

Jiang Che recognized it at a glance.

The aura of the Heavenly Gate.

Chen Shanhe gripped his blade: "Is this the thing that bestowed the Heavenly Puppets?"

Wei Chong nodded.

"Every generation of Emperors called it the Ancestral Saint Gate."

"Whenever the National Fate was in turmoil, the Royal Family would enter before this gate to worship, begging the Heavenly Gate to bestow Dharma Images."

Gu Chongming's face turned deathly pale: "I have served as an official for fifty years, yet I never knew this object was hidden in the palace."

Xie Tingxue stepped closer, examining the patterns on the gate carefully.

"This is not a complete Heavenly Gate; it is merely a Reception Ruined Gate."

Jiang Che asked: "Can it connect to the Upper Realm?"

Xie Tingxue shook her head: "The true form cannot pass through, but it can transmit messages, bestow artifacts, and descend Remnant Souls."

Just then, the Green Bamboo Sword suddenly vibrated.

On the Golden Gate, a blurry Shadow appeared.

That Shadow wore a crown and robes, exuding an ancient and majestic presence.

Gu Chongming cried out in shock: "The Ancestral Portrait!"

The Great Yin Ancestral Emperor.

The founding monarch.

The Shadow slowly opened its eyes and looked at Jiang Che.

"A descendant of the Jiang clan?"

Jiang Che raised his sword: "Are you still alive?"

The Ancestral Remnant Shadow spoke indifferently: "I ascended to the Upper Realm long ago; this is a Dharma Image left behind in the Human Realm."

Chen Shanhe roared: "You made a Covenant with the Heavenly Gate, selling the Human Qi Refining; do you deserve to be called the Ancestral Emperor?"

The Ancestral Remnant Shadow did not even look at him.

He stared only at Jiang Che.

"The Jiang clan guarding the Sword Vein indeed has merit."

"But the Human Realm is weak; if it does not rely on the Heavenly Gate, it would have long been devoured by the various Dao of the Upper Realm."

Jiang Che sneered: "So you put the common people on the table first?"

The Ancestral Remnant Shadow frowned.

"Emperors look at the grand trends of a thousand years; how can they be bound by the death of a single city, a single land, a single person, or a single family?"

The fingers of Jiang Che gripping his sword turned slightly white.

He had heard enough.

The Heavenly Gate said mortals were like ants.

The Emperor said the common people could be sacrificed.

The Ancestral Emperor said one need not be bound by a single city or land.

These people standing high up, no matter what they said, the ones who always died were others.

Jiang Che raised his sword.

"I do not understand the grand trends of a thousand years."

"I only know that the people who are sacrificed feel pain."

The Ancestral Remnant Shadow finally showed a trace of anger.

"Jiang Che, you shattered the Lower Realm Heavenly Gate and killed the Great Yin Heavenly Son; you have already disrupted the foundation of the Human Realm."

"If you sever this Gate again, the Upper Realm will surely descend with wrath."

Jiang Che said: "Let them come."

The Ancestral Remnant Shadow spoke coldly: "Do you think the Northern Border Sword Vein alone is enough to make you an enemy of the Upper Realm?"

Jiang Che walked step by step toward the Golden Gate.

"I never felt I could win immediately."

"But I know that as long as the Gate remains open, the Human Realm will forever be held by the throat by you."

The Green Bamboo Sword glowed.

The shadow of the Taizu Emperor roared, "I am the founding ancestor of Great Yin!"

Jiang Che struck down with his sword.

"Then let it begin with you, cut it all clean."

The sword light struck the Golden Gate.

The Secret Chamber shook violently.

The shadow of the Taizu Emperor let out a furious roar, transforming into golden light to counterattack, but was shredded by the Green Bamboo Sword Intent.

The Golden Gate cracked open.

Countless angry whispers came from behind the Gate.

Immortals and gods of the Upper Realm scolded.

A Heavenly Gate Envoy roared.

Some ancient gaze descended.

Jiang Che did not hesitate; the Second Sword fell.

Crack!

The Reception Ruined Gate shattered completely.

Above the Imperial Palace, the dark clouds dispersed.

The oppressive aura that had always clung to Capital City finally vanished.

Wei Chong knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face.

He knew the last hidden thread connecting the Royal Family and the Heavenly Gate was severed.

Jiang Che sheathed his sword and looked at him.

Wei Chong kowtowed: "This servant is willing to accept death."

Jiang Che fell silent for a moment.

"You indeed deserve to die."

Wei Chong closed his eyes.

Jiang Che continued, "But not now."

Wei Chong was stunned.

Jiang Che said, "You are familiar with the old archives of the inner court. First, organize all secret records related to the Heavenly Gate."

"Once done, then we will judge."

Wei Chong prostrated himself on the ground, his voice hoarse: "This servant accepts the order."

When they walked out of the Secret Chamber, dawn had broken.

Xie Tingxue looked at Jiang Che's pale face and said, "Breaking this Gate will make the Upper Realm notice you even faster."

Jiang Che gazed toward the horizon.

"They noticed long ago."

"I am simply telling them..."

"... that the Human Realm will no longer leave a Gate for them."