Taboo Mage - Chapter 100 - The History of the Chi Family

Chi Rui hesitated for a moment, seemingly unsure, but his phone kept ringing incessantly. Finally, he gritted his teeth, pulled out a checkbook from the inner pocket of his suit, and scribbled a number with a grand flourish, handing it to me.

I accepted it gladly, carefully verifying the check’s format and numbers. After confirming everything was correct, I patted Jue Chi on the shoulder. “Monk, shall we go?”

The Chi Family is a prominent and wealthy household in Shenyang, owning numerous enterprises. Just the most popular real estate projects in recent years have brought them a fortune.

However, few know what exactly the family trade was that led to their fortune.

On the way, Chi Rui sat between Jue Chi and me, his expression grave. He said, “Our ancestors’ trade was never really respectable. Even after we changed our business, we made a point of never speaking about it, but Cause and Effect is at play here. While your Gu Family suffers from a curse, the Chi Family faces divine punishment.”

“What do you mean?” I frowned, puzzled as I looked at Chi Rui.

Staring at the scenery flashing by outside the window, Chi Rui spoke slowly, “Our ancestor was a grave robber. They accidentally discovered an official’s tomb on our land, filled with treasures that would dazzle anyone. Tempted, they fell into evil thoughts. During those times, even after a year of hard farming, one might not have a full meal. Faced with such a huge temptation, who could resist?”

“Spare me the family history. I’m not interested. Just tell me what you need me to do.” I waved him off, feeling drowsy from his story.

Chi Rui chuckled and said, “The Chi Family is a clan. Our current patriarch is our family’s eldest, my great-grandfather, who is already over ninety years old.”

“That age…” I sighed.

Just look at the Chi Family, and then look at our Gu Family. My Grandfather and father, they both passed away just past forty. Combined, their ages don’t even reach my great-grandfather’s age in the Chi Family.

Because of the sins of our ancestors, the men in our family are born with defects. My great-grandfather, for instance, is still in good health but was born blind.”

“You don’t mean to ask me to cure his blindness, do you?” I looked at Chi Rui in surprise.

If the Chi Family’s wealth couldn’t cure his blindness, it must not be an easy thing to fix. Moreover, while my Gu Family is cursed, the Chi Family is subject to divine punishment. If I rashly attempt to resolve this, who knows if it will result in a backlash.

Seeing my hesitation, Chi Rui gritted his teeth and said, “If you can help cure my great-grandfather’s eyes, not only will you get what you want, but I can also give you that check for free.”

I frowned. The check didn’t tempt me much. After everything that happened before, my desire for money had diminished significantly.

But the first point really hit my soft spot…

“Why are you so intent on curing your great-grandfather’s eyes?” Jue Chi suddenly asked, his gaze steady on Chi Rui.

Chi Rui was startled and casually replied, “As the eldest grandson of the Chi Family, of course, I should fulfill my duty to my great-grandfather.”

“You’re lying,” Jue Chi said with a gentle smile.

I chuckled. It seemed like Chi Rui had some unspeakable motive behind wanting me to cure his great-grandfather’s blindness. If it turns out like that glasses-wearing man who became a traitor, I’d really be at a loss.

Under the pressured stares from Jue Chi and me, Chi Rui hesitated for a long time before finally speaking, “You’re right. My efforts aren’t just about showing filial piety. The Chi Family is vast and powerful, and while I’m the eldest grandson and the apparent heir, there are many eyes watching me. My great-grandfather’s health is declining, and he could pass away anytime now. I’m not yet in a position to contend with those people, so I have to find other ways to protect myself.”

“So, you’re saying that saving your great-grandfather’s eyesight is also about securing your position as the eldest grandson? Let me guess, even though you’re the eldest grandson, there’s someone else more favored by the elders, right? They’re just waiting for your great-grandfather to become senile or suddenly pass away so they can directly announce that the position of patriarch is given to someone else. So, you’re clinging tightly to your great-grandfather. First, he must not fall, and second, if he’s in a good mood, he might just hand you the position of patriarch.”

I said this with a smile, keeping an eye on Chi Rui’s expression. The fleeting panic and cunning in his eyes told me that I’d guessed correctly.

Sure enough, after I finished speaking, Chi Rui nodded but said nothing more.

I chuckled coldly. I never thought those palace dramas I watched out of boredom would play out in real life like this. Makes you wonder what goes through these people’s minds when they watch those shows.

The Chi Family estate is located in a small village two hours’ drive from Shenyang. The entire village maintains a very traditional look. Our car stopped at the stone tablet at the village entrance.

I jumped out of the car and gazed at the village, unable to pinpoint exactly how I felt.

If I called it peaceful and serene, the dark energy faintly flowing through the air made it suffocating.

But if I said it was eerie, it wasn’t really. Even in winter, the sound of flowing water in the village was soothing to the mind.

“The younger generation of the Chi Family has all moved away from the village, but since the ancestral hall is here, my great-grandfather and a few elders still stay. The remaining villagers are ordinary people who don’t really know what our Chi Family is about. They just think some nouveau riche built a small villa here,” Chi Rui said, leading the way like an emperor surveying his lands.

Jue Chi and I followed behind him. The few passing aunts and uncles looked at us curiously, especially when they walked past Jue Chi, turning to look back at him every few steps, just like a secret admirer sneaking glances at a beauty on the street.

Chi Rui kept rambling about his family history, which I found dull. So, I started chatting with an aunt sitting nearby, sunbathing and cracking sunflower seeds.

“Excuse me, Auntie, do you know the Chi Family here? The really wealthy one in your village?” I grabbed a handful of seeds and squatted on the steps, cracking them in the local style.

The aunt chuckled, “Of course I know! They’re rolling in money. The old man in that family has as many children and grandchildren as there are hairs on a yak. We see their family members coming and going all the time.”