Legacy of the Jade Necklace
Mu Yun's eyes grew distant as he gazed at the jade necklace.
'Gwak So-san, I thought she would have thrown this away.'
Back then, Mu Lun had been certain of it. Even while Yeo Dan was alive, and especially after his death, she had tried to sever all ties with the jianghu. The way she looked at Yeo Hwi and him when they came calling hadn't changed a bit.
The only conclusion he could draw now was:
'She must not have been able to part with it because of Yeo Dan's name.'
At the time, Gwak So-san had said she would raise her son as part of the family and give him the Gwak surname. And now, the necklace's owner bore the Gwak name as well.
Mu Yun handed the necklace back and asked, "It's quite an old necklace."
"So I've heard. It was passed down through the sons, but as relatives dwindled one by one, it ended up with me, the daughter."
"Have you lived here long?"
Gwak Un-ji clung to a thread of hope at his words.
"Of course. There aren't many households left now, but our bloodline has never left this place. We've been mining silver here since ancient times. No one knows these mountains better than we do."
Mu Yun's gaze immediately shifted to Gwak Yu-yang. There was no need to look elsewhere now. He spun a tale just as he'd planned.
"I must seem strange to you."
"Ahem! Well, not exactly..."
"You seem trustworthy, so I'll be frank. There's a reason."
"What is it?"
"A long time ago, I saw a map. The terrain here wasn't like this back then. They must have explored before the landslide."
Gwak Yu-yang's eyes widened.
"Landslide? As you can see, there's no trace of anything like that. Unless it was incredibly ancient."
"The map is over five hundred years old."
"...Then on it?"
"A massive silver vein was marked."
"Really?"
"I'll front the money for the operation."
"...!"
No family in Chim-ju existed in Mu Lun's memories from a thousand years ago. Meaning none had endured that vast span of time. Yet here was a humble mountain clan that had survived it all. And in the very place where Yeo Dan's son had been.
There could be no greater joy for Mu Yun. The pain of having done nothing for Yeo Dan's child still ached in his chest even now.
Mu Yun stared blankly at the white clouds cradling the sunlight. A breeze carrying the full scent of spring rustled the grass and swept over the mountain peaks. A fresh smile bloomed on his lips as he breathed it in.
'To think you've found your fated connection!'
Of course, over such a long time, the bloodline might not be pure. But this necklace had passed from hand to hand across a millennium. Unlike him, who had leaped through time and space to stand here, it was different. It was proof not just of Yeo Dan, but of a thread connecting him and Yeo Hwi that had quietly weathered a thousand years.
That alone made them as good as the three friends' descendants.
A radiant smile, as if he owned the world, lingered on his face for a long while.
A month later, in front of the Cheong-ho Bang estate.
Gwak Yu-yang hurried over to Mu Yun, who was just about to head out. He bowed politely with proper decorum.
"You were right. Sorry for doubting you all this time."
It was exactly as expected.
"How is it?"
"A motherlode."
"Plenty to discuss about splitting it, then."
"Naturally. You look like you're heading out—go on. I'll wait."
He'd felt awkward going alone anyway. Perfect.
"Come with me."
"Where to?"
"A gisaeng house."
Gwak Yu-yang's eyes rounded.
"Serious business, and a gisaeng house? That's not ideal."
"We're not drinking."
"Still."
"I've arranged for a quiet spot."
Gwak Yu-yang offered a compromise.
"Word leaking out now wouldn't be good. Women might talk."
"I'll call one after we're done."
"If that's the case."
It was on Yeo Hwi's recommendation—a trip to see a dancer named Yu-seon.
A short while later, at Seonghwa House in downtown Chim-ju.
Mu Yun, Ak Mu-gil, Gwak Yu-yang, and four men he'd brought sat together.
"Ahem! I'm Jin Yu-song, head of Seongun Merchant Group. Pleased to meet you."
Gwak Yu-yang added his explanation.
"He's my brother-in-law. As I mentioned, he's reliable and skilled, which is why I called him. I'll handle mining and refining; I'd like him for transport and sales."
"I've already entrusted that to you. Handle it as you see fit."
"Grateful. I'll do my best."
"A few things to inform you of."
"Go ahead."
"First, we should form a separate merchant group for this venture."
"I agree. For a scale like this, it's best."
"How about splitting shares fifty-fifty?"
Gwak Yu-yang's eyes nearly split open. A reflexive question burst out.
"Did you say fifty-fifty?"
"But if we bring in others, we offer the same share ratio."
Gwak Yu-yang and Jin Yu-song were speechless for a moment.
'Half? Good lord.'
The vein they'd found alone was enough for fifty years of mining at minimum. Thousands of taels of silver profit each year, just falling into their laps.
For this, they'd be thrilled with a fixed payment instead of shares. They'd planned to offer a small stake if the mood was right.
But he was offering half right off the bat.
Gwak Yu-yang had to ask directly. Nothing in the world was free.
"Look, this is far more generous than local custom. I don't understand your intentions."
Mu Yun met his gaze steadily with unwavering eyes.
"I do things my way, regardless of others."
"Your way?"
"I only found it and own it. I know nothing about running a mine. Production and profits from here on are entirely up to you—for at least fifty years. Isn't that right?"
"True enough."
"As long as you don't cheat me, I won't interfere or give orders. Frankly, I'm too busy for reports even, but I'll take them. I have more important matters. Understand?"
Gwak Yu-yang grasped the sincerity behind the words.
"I get it. If you're that hands-off, we'll work hard to repay you. Reports go without saying, and no cheating—I'll stake my life on it."
"Act as you've shown, and I'll trust you."
"Ahem! No need to worry about that."
"And bribes for the officials—I'll cover those separately. That's my biggest concern."
"Don't worry too much. Bribes for permits, sure, but after that, they won't meddle much. Just occasional payoffs."
"It's not that. It's because of what I'll be doing next."
"...What kind of thing?"
"Planning several ventures in the city. If they fail, fine—but if they succeed, we'll clash in two or three years."
"...?"
He hadn't planned to mention it early. But something from a month ago nagged at him. What Gwak Yu-yang had said to Ak Mu-gil, who fancied Gwak Un-ji.
—Are you telling me to become a slightly less evil bandit? Like how you always say Cheong-ho Bang is that kind of unorthodox group?
For Ak Mu-gil's sake, he decided to reveal it first. That Cheong-ho Bang wouldn't just be less evil bandits—they'd be something better.
Soon after Mu Yun's detailed explanation ended, everyone's eyes bulged.
Ak Mu-gil was hearing it for the first time too.
"Bangju, is that really possible?"
"Why? Think it can't be done?"
Ak Mu-gil thrust out his chest, eyes blazing with fervor.
"I don't know much, but just hearing it sets my blood on fire. Haha!"
Gwak Yu-yang voiced his inner doubt. The intent was noble, but he knew how difficult it would be.
"You really plan to do this?"
Mu Yun mixed truth and half-truth.
"If I said I've done it before, on a smaller scale—would you believe me?"
"Really? It worked?"
"I made it happen."
Gwak Yu-yang pondered, then his eyes deepened. A thrill not to be taken lightly trembled at his lips.
'If that's the case!'
His heart had pounded the whole time. That would make them not just lesser evils, but better than the hypocrites of the orthodox sects—truly good unorthodox folk. Something unprecedented.
Gwak Yu-yang made his decision.
"Will Cheong-ho Bang lead this directly?"
"No. We'll make a separate entity."
"Then count me in. I'd join something like that."
"...!"
After detailed discussions, they agreed the new merchant group would handle everything.
As talks wrapped up, Gwak Yu-yang let out a hearty laugh.
"Haha! At that level, you're right—better to bribe them."
"Enough to refuse other requests. Even the Honam Governor if needed."
Jin Yu-song, who had listened quietly, spoke up. Even with a huge vein, bribing the provincial governor was a stretch.
"I know some people close to the Governor."
"Perfect."
"But the amounts will exceed your imagination. Bigger than the belly, as they say."
"It's different from other bribes in essence."
"How so?"
"We're not asking for favors—just protection from injustice. Clean money they'd feel good taking. Why haggle over the price?"
"True, but..."
Mu Yun's eyes gleamed.
'I won't let that happen again.'
A thousand years ago, he'd run a similar venture in Chim-ju. It was thriving until officials suddenly intervened—thanks to bribes from rival factions, of course.
"If we don't control the officials, nothing works. Don't worry about money—start now."
"Now? Permits aside, issues won't arise for two or three years."
"We lay the groundwork early. They've been entrenched for ages."
"...!"
More discussions followed at length.
As the heated meeting wound down, Mu Yun changed the subject.
"Shall we call in a gisaeng now?"
Jin Yu-song nodded subtly toward Gwak Yu-yang and stepped in. No need for clueless old men to cramp the young ones' style.
"Haha! Booze is one thing, but women? We're out of practice—too awkward these days."
"Don't like song and dance?"
"Huh? Well..."
"I came to see the famed dancer Yu-seon here."
"...!"
Soon after, the summoned woman's dance unfolded several times in the room.
Yu-seon, steadying her ragged breath, bit her lower lip lightly.
'They don't like it.'
She was Chim-ju's top courtesan artist. Reading guests' faces mid-performance was basic. Yet the man seated in the center had shown no surprise or delight—not once. Just that impassive expression.
Her eyes wavered uneasily.
'What do I do?'
She couldn't judge if she should continue.
She'd heard the host was Cheong-ho Bang's leader. Higher statuses abounded in Chim-ju, but to a gisaeng like her, he was the most fearsome. Especially since he hadn't visited gisaeng houses in a year and a half—yet specified her.
Bedding? As a red-light courtesan, she'd oblige. But that joyless face after her best effort stirred creeping anxiety.
As the mood grew awkward, Ak Mu-gil boomed with laughter.
"Haha! Bangju, what do you think? My eyes are feasting."
"It was good to watch."
"Ahem! Then perhaps we should wrap up..."
Mu Yun's enigmatic gaze turned to Yu-seon.
"Nothing more to show?"
"...Is there something you desire?"
"Nothing specific. Just a question."
"What?"
"What were you thinking while dancing? When you're moving your body through the forms—surely you have some mindset."
His baffling question left her staring blankly into space for a while.
'What is he curious about?'
Clearly not lecherous intent from a man. She'd have to ask outright.
"Honestly, I don't quite know. What do you want to understand?"
Mu Yun cut straight to it. That's why he'd come.
"Even to an outsider like me, it was impressive and masterful. But I couldn't read your heart in the dance. Were you annoyed at being ordered to perform? Or enjoying it? Something like that."
Only then did a smile return to Yu-seon's lips. No ulterior motive—just confirmation her dance wasn't lacking.
"A dancer's duty is to delight guests with her art, of course. To do that, the dance must hold pure joy—no personal feelings bleeding in. If they show, she's failed as a dancer. I hope that answers you."
"Heh! Looking back, it was a foolish question."
"Ah! I didn't mean it that way..."
"Not blaming you. I wanted to see the dance you want to dance. Not for us—for yourself."
"...?"
Utterly incomprehensible. Yu-seon blinked in confusion.