Mitra's Necklace
With a grave expression, Na-Pa approached Seo Jun and Wang Yi. She leaned in close and whispered quietly, as though afraid someone might overhear, then spoke.
“Family Head, when I first met you, didn’t I mention the lost sacred relic of the Xiaoyuezhi? The truth is, the younger members of our tribe don’t know its exact appearance. They’ve only heard the stories passed down. But this necklace resembles the descriptions of the relic I’ve heard so closely that I thought it best to show it to Elder Cho.”
“Really? Then we should call her right away.”
Seo Jun instructed a subordinate waiting outside to summon Cho Gae-je. While they waited for her arrival, everyone in the room began examining the necklace again in detail. They wouldn’t learn anything new by staring at it, but that was simply human nature. As the three of them inspected the necklace with faces full of anticipation, Cho Gae-je arrived.
“Family Head, I was told you were looking for me.”
“Elder Cho! Please look at this!”
“Little Spirit Lord, what sort of object has you in such a rush?”
Na-Pa placed the necklace in Cho Gae-je’s hands. Still bewildered and unsure what was happening, Cho Gae-je studied the necklace resting on her palm with careful attention.
“Mitra be praised!!!”
After examining it closely, Cho Gae-je set the necklace down gently on the table. She then dropped to the floor in full prostration, palms turned upward toward the heavens, and began bowing to the necklace with complete reverence.
Understanding the meaning behind Cho Gae-je’s actions, Na-Pa moved to her side and began performing the same devout bows toward the necklace.
Seo Jun and Wang Yi could only stare at the sudden scene with their mouths slightly open.
The lengthy ritual of bows finally came to an end.
“Is it over now? I’d appreciate a clear explanation of exactly what this necklace is and why you reacted that way.”
Seo Jun had roughly guessed the situation, but he needed to hear it directly from them. He asked the question that intrigued him most.
“Family Head, this necklace is ‘Mitra’s Necklace.’ It is precisely the sacred relic of the Xiaoyuezhi Clan that I mentioned earlier as a possibility, though I wasn’t certain.”
“Truly? This necklace is the sacred relic?! Gae-je, are you absolutely sure?”
“Yes, it is certain, Family Head! Thank you!!!”
Seo Jun sought confirmation once more from Cho Gae-je, who would know with greater certainty.
“Our Yuezhi people worship Mitra, the guide of the twelve palaces, as our supreme deity. That is why only the chieftains of the Yuezhi have passed down the knowledge of its origin through oral tradition. Bracelets and necklaces were crafted from Mitra’s black jade and revered as the clan’s sacred relics. The Greater Yuezhi honor the bracelet, while the Lesser Yuezhi venerate the necklace as their sacred item.”
“Haa… how could such a coincidence even happen?”
Seo Jun felt slightly dazed by the unexpected revelation. The necklace he had simply taken from the Hao family home because he found it beautiful had turned out to be the sacred relic of the Xiaoyuezhi Clan, with whom he shared a connection.
“Well, let’s set that aside for now. So what should we do with this sacred relic? Should I simply give it to Na-Pa, the Little Spirit Lord?”
“You would give it away so easily?”
Na-Pa’s voice rose in frustration at how casually Seo Jun offered it. She spoke with clear irritation.
“Family Head, if you are properly recognized as the true owner of the sacred relic, you could gather the scattered Xiaoyuezhi people of Liang Province under your banner. That would become a great source of strength for you. Does that not tempt you at all?”
Cho Gae-je explained the scenario that would benefit Seo Jun most, wanting to confirm whether his apparent lack of greed toward their sacred relic was genuine.
“Hmm… I have no plans to establish myself in Liang Province. For me to gain the power of the Xiaoyuezhi, a large number of them would need to migrate near Luoyang. Is that even possible? And even if it were, if so many foreigners were seen following me near Luoyang, what would the people here think? Wouldn’t I be ostracized before I could even settle down?”
“My husband is correct. A small number might go unnoticed, but if a large group of Xiaoyuezhi with their distinct appearances began operating near Luoyang while following you, it would immediately draw suspicion. The powerful would seek to eliminate you.”
Wang Yi nodded in agreement with Seo Jun’s reasoning.
“Let me be perfectly clear. I have no greed for the Xiaoyuezhi’s sacred relic, nor any great interest in it. I will transfer full ownership to Na-Pa, so use it in whatever way benefits you most. And even though the sacred relic has appeared, I hope our relationship remains as harmonious as it is now. With that in mind, take good care of the remaining jewels and devote yourself fully to this trade as we originally planned.”
“Family Head! Are you truly fine with this?”
Both Na-Pa and Cho Gae-je looked visibly flustered by how easily Seo Jun handed over ownership of the sacred relic. They had seen and experienced many powerful figures who clung desperately to even the slightest chance of gaining more strength. Seo Jun’s attitude was so different that it felt entirely foreign to them.
“Enough, enough! Let’s end the conversation here. Use it well as you see fit!”
Seo Jun practically pushed the sacred relic and the jewelry box into their hands and ushered them out of the room as if shooing them away.
“Sigh… I nearly got myself tangled up in something troublesome.”
“Hoho… Husband, do you not regret it?”
“Not particularly. Possessing an item with such a heavy backstory and responsibilities would only become a burden. I can achieve that much through my own abilities anyway.”
“Husband, you make me realize once again that I chose my man wisely. You are truly remarkable.”
Wang Yi gazed at Seo Jun with eyes overflowing with affection. She had seen him return the sacred relic—something that could have granted him immense power—without the slightest trace of greed, giving it back to its rightful owners.
Two days later, the day of the move arrived. Seo Jun’s family bustled about, carrying their belongings into the new house. As Seo Jun directed the household, an aging woman accompanied by two maids approached him.
“Young Master Seo, how do you fare? I apologize for greeting you so late despite having received your generous help.”
“Ah… greetings. It seems you know who I am, madam, but I’m ashamed to say I do not know who you are. Please forgive me.”
“That is only natural. I am Lady Han, mistress of the Bu family. With the sudden preparations for our move, I received great assistance yet only now come to offer my thanks, Young Master Seo.”
“Not at all, madam. I am quite satisfied with having secured such a fine house at the right moment. I have always held deep respect for Lord Bu, the Grand Administrator. Perhaps it was fate, but some among my household had previously received his grace. I consider it fortunate to have had this chance to repay even a small portion of that debt. Though leaving this place must fill your heart with regret, I pray that Lady Han remains in good health after the move and that the Bu family’s future path is blessed with good fortune.”
“The kindness Young Master Seo has shown will be remembered by every member of the Bu family and never forgotten.”
After they exchanged farewells, Lady Han of the Bu family departed. This time, Na-Pa and Cho Gae-je approached.
“I wish both of you a safe journey and good health. Take care and return safely.”
“Yes, Family Head. We will return safely.”
“Yes. Understood.”
As evening drew near, the move of Seo Jun’s household was finally complete. His family had now settled into the house where he would continue living in Luoyang. The first matter Seo Jun attended to after the move was setting the date for his wedding with Wang Yi. Though they planned to keep the ceremony relatively modest, there were still many preparations to make, so they decided on the tenth day of the eleventh month—roughly ten days later.
After smoothly concluding the household affairs and briefly savoring the comfort of his new home, Seo Jun received contact from He Ham.
It was the same time two days later, at the same inn.
At the entrance to the private annex of the inn, He Ham and Yun Hye were engaged in a quiet disagreement.
“Husband, I wish to enter alone today.”
“Wife, why? Wouldn’t it be more comfortable if I stayed with you?”
Yun Hye carried a deep fear that, like the previous encounter, she might lose herself completely in climax and pleasure and commit some mistake while He Ham was present. At first, his presence had helped calm her mind, but now it only heightened her anxiety. Today, she was determined to preserve her true self no matter what.
“The truth is… the thought of you being nearby while I lie with another man feels too heavy on my heart.”
He Ham found some understanding in his wife’s plea. If he were to embrace a concubine or another woman with Yun Hye waiting close by, he too would feel a heavy mental burden.
“Wife, I understand. Then I shall come for you in the morning?”
“Yes, I would be grateful if you did, husband.”
“Go inside. I will watch until you enter, then return home to wait.”
As Yun Hye stepped inside, she paused at the door and turned to look back, her eyes taking in the sight of He Ham watching her. He gestured for her to go in, and after giving him a small nod, Yun Hye entered the room.