Chapter 15: The Jade Pendant of the White Emperor

Chapter 15: The White Emperor Jade Pendant

“Alright then, thank you, Third Uncle!” Wu Yu accepted without hesitation.

The moment he held the circular jade pendant, a subtle change occurred with the warmth of his palm. Inside, a faint white python seemed to slither, barely visible within the jade.

“This…” Wu Yu looked up at his smiling Third Uncle and asked, “Could this be the legendary jade pendant favored by Emperor Gaozu of Han?”

“Hahaha!” The Third Uncle laughed heartily. “I knew you’d recognize its value! Since your second brother named you Yu, how could you not have a jade piece befitting your status?”

“This is incredibly precious!” Wu Yu smiled wryly at his uncle. “You haven’t—by any chance—taken it from that tomb, have you?”

“No, no!” The Third Uncle waved his hand. “How could I do that to our own family? This came from a collector. I don’t know exactly where it originated, but it’s been in his family for generations.”

Wu Yu nodded. “Then I won’t be polite.”

He reached to slip it into his pocket but was stopped by Wu Tianzhen beside him.

“Third Uncle, you’re too biased! You gave me just this house, but to my younger brother, you gave money and a rare dragon’s spine!”

“Given your level of skill,” the Third Uncle sneered, “you’re still not satisfied? Fine! If you can tell me the origin of this jade pendant, I’ll let you pick any treasure from my safe to be the centerpiece of your Mountain and Water Residence!”

“Really?” Wu Tianzhen’s eyes lit up, but then he stared at the pendant, puzzled. He didn’t know the story.

After hesitating, he finally said, “Emperor Gaozu’s jade pendant?”

“That’s what Yu just said!” Wu Sanshu shot him a sharp glance.

“Then…” Wu Tianzhen hung his head and handed the pendant back to Wu Yu.

Wu Yu smiled. “It’s so obvious—haven’t you remembered?”

“Have you forgotten the story of Emperor Gaozu slaying the serpent?” Wu Yu grinned. “That white serpent, known as the White Emperor’s offspring, was no ordinary python. Later, when Liu Bang ascended the throne as Emperor Gaozu, he had countless dreams of being chased and attacked by the white serpent, seeking revenge. Desperate, he secretly sought out sages, until an old Taoist finally advised him.”

“Atop Mount Tai, he held grand rituals to honor the white serpent. Then its spirit was summoned and sealed within this exquisite jade pendant, which Liu Bang carried with him and passed down through generations. It was meant to nurture the dragon vein’s energy for the Liu dynasty, helping it one day achieve transcendence and ascend as a dragon!”

“Likewise, because the white serpent became the dynasty’s spiritual guardian, it protected the Liu family’s reign. That’s why the Liu dynasty lasted so long—one of the longest in history.”

“But… but these are just stories! They aren’t recorded in official history, at best just travelogues!” Wu Tianzhen interjected.

Wu Yu exchanged a glance with Third Uncle and smiled. Playing with the jade pendant, he said, “Whether true or not, the fact this pendant is real is enough.”

“Really, the value of antiques often comes down to the stories behind them. Otherwise, how come many items from the same era have such wildly different worth?”

“Hmm, that makes sense,” Wu Tianzhen nodded. Coming from a prominent family, he understood that if an antique carried a story, its value could multiply many times over.

There was a time when places like Panjiayuan were essentially hubs for ancient legends. Even today, any antique dealer would spin tales to boost the value of items, true or not.

In short, it’s a test of your discernment and knowledge.

Otherwise, even if the famous Heshibi jade were placed before you, you might not recognize it.

Wu Yu said no more and listened as Third Uncle chatted with Panzi, gradually understanding the operations of the several branches under Third Uncle’s control and their general business dealings. After briefing Panzi on some New Year arrangements, the three set off for Shacheng.

Shortly after they entered the hotel, a call came from an elderly lady in Shacheng. She had long awaited the arrival of her beloved second grandson.

Wu Erbai had also taken a rare break, wrapping up his business days in advance and heading to Shacheng with his mother.

Naturally, Wu Yu was eager to join them. Soon, the group boarded a plane and began to rest.

“Wow, little brother, your case is amazing! It didn’t even get detected at security!” Wu Tianzhen exclaimed, excitedly eyeing the instrument case Wu Yu carried.

He had worried about how Wu Yu would carry the case aboard, but Third Uncle never seemed to care or offer help, which made him anxious.

Yet when the case passed through security without a hitch, he was amazed.

“It’s a small trick, nothing special,” Wu Yu said with a smile.

A few hours later, after arriving at Shacheng Airport, Wu Yu checked his phone and said, “Third Uncle, Tianzhen, wait for me here. I need to pick something up.”

He pointed to a nondescript delivery van parked outside.

“Little brother, is that something you ordered online?” Tianzhen muttered.

But Wu Sanshu took a long, thoughtful look at the ordinary-looking van with its sealed windows.

He knew Wu Erbai managed Warehouse Eleven, but he hadn’t expected Wu Yu to have authority to access it. This made him see Wu Yu in a new light.

Soon, Wu Yu returned carrying a box.

“What did you buy? You could’ve asked me to go with you and we could’ve toured Shacheng!” Tianzhen said as he approached.

“Nothing special, just some items a friend helped me find. They were all gathered and sent here,” Wu Yu smiled, not elaborating.

“All right, the car’s here. Let’s go!” Third Uncle interrupted and climbed in.

“Wait for me, Third Uncle!” Tianzhen hurried after him.

One couldn’t help but think, if outsiders didn’t know better, they might assume Tianzhen was Wu Sanshu’s son.

As the three headed toward the Wu family’s old mansion, news quickly spread among the other eight families of Shacheng’s nine gates.

The recent gossip about Wu Erbai bringing a woman home was fully confirmed.

Suddenly, information about Wu Yu appeared on many desks.

Looking at his handsome, sunny photo, it was hard to believe this boy was the son of a notorious underworld figure.

Most concluded that Wu Yu must have inherited traits from his mother and had little to do with Wu Erbai.

Unfortunately, clues about Wu Yu and his mother Ling were scarce. After years of careful management by Wu Erbai and Old Dog Wu, it was far from easy for others to uncover any leads.

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(End of chapter)