Chapter 139: The Jade Rat and the Ancient Jade Gang

I nodded and beckoned to Pan Ximi, who had been watching from the sidelines. I told him to take out his jade pendant. Without a word, Pan Ximi quickly removed the piece from around his neck and handed it to Professor Wang.

The professor habitually pulled out a small flashlight he carried with him and clicked it on. Under the beam, the pendant emitted a soft luster; its surface was smooth, with faint, ancient carvings visible upon it. Professor Wang took the jade, examined it closely, and frowned slightly.

"This pendant..." he muttered to himself, seemingly lost in thought. A moment later, his expression grew more focused as his fingers gently stroked the surface, as if sensing its temperature and history.

"This is ancient jade," Professor Wang finally said, a trace of surprise in his voice. "I never expected our Mr. Pan to possess such a precious item." He continued his observation, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "However, the patina is very thick, which indicates it has been carried on one's person for many years."

The next moment, however, Professor Wang turned his gaze toward me, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

"I had assumed this ancient jade belonged to you," he said abruptly. "Because there is a rat standing on a cloud carved into this piece, and this specific rat motif is related to the ‘rat-sense’ you possess, Mr. Wang Hu."

As soon as Professor Wang said this, Pan Ximi became agitated. He looked at the professor and retorted, "Hey, Professor Wang, you can say anything, but you can’t just say anything. This is my ancestral heirloom; how did it suddenly become Brother Hu’s?"

"Even though Brother Hu is my boss and I have to listen to him, this pendant has been with me for decades. It’s like my wife—you wouldn’t just give your wife away to someone else, would you?"

Professor Wang smiled slightly, showing no intention of arguing with Pan Ximi. He returned the pendant, which Pan Ximi snatched back and immediately hung around his neck, refusing to pay the professor any more mind. Yet, Professor Wang’s gaze remained locked on the rat carving, as if it held some hidden secret.

"Actually, there are some undeciphered symbols on the back of this pendant," he said, pointing to the reverse side with a serious expression. "These symbols are related to some ancient legends. Mr. Pan, you say this is an heirloom—are you certain of that?"

"Of course I’m certain! This thing was given to me by my parents when I was born; it’s a family heirloom!"

"An heirloom." Professor Wang withdrew his hand, his tone becoming grave. "This pendant is more than just an ornament; it might be linked to the Ancient Jade Guild. Could it be that one of your ancestors was a member of the Guild?"

Pan Ximi clearly had not expected Professor Wang to know of the Ancient Jade Guild’s existence. In truth, the secret of the Guild’s presence in this city was known only to four people: myself, Lu Yier, Pan Ximi, and Chen Laobao. The professor had pierced through that secret with a single sentence.

Pan Ximi curled his lip, unimpressed by the professor's words. "You’re rambling again. Ancient secrets? The Ancient Jade Guild? I don’t believe in that superstitious nonsense." He added, "In short, this was left to me by my parents, and I know nothing about this so-called Ancient Jade Guild!"

"Superstition?" Professor Wang shook his head, a flash of determination in his eyes. "In the field of archaeology, many things dismissed as superstition often harbor the truth. Do you know the origin of this pendant? It really is connected to the Ancient Jade Guild. And behind it all... lies a lost dynasty!"

"A lost dynasty?" I couldn’t help but interject, a surge of curiosity rising within me. "Are you saying there is a deeper story behind this pendant?"

Professor Wang smiled, seemingly pleased by my anticipation. "That’s right. Legend has it that in these southern lands, there was a kingdom built upon jade. But the kingdom fell because of a rat, and the pattern of that rat is exactly what is carved onto your pendant. Perhaps, if we solve this mystery, we can uncover the secrets of that lost dynasty."

Upon hearing this, the disdain on Pan Ximi’s face gradually faded, replaced by a trace of anxiety. "Are you saying this pendant might bring trouble? Could I die because of a rat?"

Professor Wang laughed upon hearing this. "Don't be nervous. Legends are just legends; many are embellished versions of real events. Even if someone were to die, it wouldn't be you. As I said, it was a kingdom, and the king died because of a rat... Mr. Pan, you are not a king!"

Pan Ximi let out a sigh of relief.

"However..." Professor Wang paused and looked at me. "Mr. Wang Hu, your ‘rat-sense’ is what we explorers consider a bloodline talent. Under normal circumstances, it would be logical for this jade to be in your possession. How did it end up with your subordinate? Did you give it to him?"

"Professor Wang, have you lost your mind?" Pan Ximi responded with a sneer. "Didn't I just say this is an ancestral item? How could Brother Hu have given it to me? I’m telling you, this pendant has been with me since birth. Stop your nonsense!"

Professor Wang smiled, showing no sign of giving up. "Mr. Pan, I am not questioning your words, but rather suggesting that the existence of this pendant holds a special significance. It may play a key role in your family history, but it is definitely linked to Mr. Wang Hu’s bloodline resonance."

"If it is possible, you should gift this jade to Mr. Wang Hu; it might have a spiritual connection to him!"

Pan Ximi, feeling cornered by the professor’s prodding, clearly had no intention of handing over the rat-motif jade. He snapped at the professor, "Why don't you give your wife to my Brother Hu as a concubine? Then I'll give him my pendant. How about that?" He continued, "I’ve never seen someone like you, trying to dispose of other people’s property. Which school are you from? I’m going to report you to your superiors!"

Seeing that Pan Ximi was spiraling further out of control, I signaled for him to be quiet. "Pan, stop talking. I have no interest in your ancestral pendant. The professor was just speaking hypothetically; don't take it to heart."

Pan Ximi still looked dissatisfied, but seeing that I had intervened, he stopped arguing. His gaze returned to the pendant, as if he were pondering the professor’s words.

"But, Professor Wang," I pressed further, my curiosity about the legend growing stronger, "what exactly is this story about the lost dynasty?"

Professor Wang smiled, clearly satisfied with my interest. "Legend says this kingdom was founded on jade, and the royal family passed it down through generations. Then, one day, a rat broke into the palace and gnawed on the royal jade, leading to the kingdom's downfall. The rat was not just an ill omen; it was the turning point in the kingdom’s fate."