Taboo Mage - Chapter 103 - Dinner Table Warfare

I was taken aback for a moment, then turned and glared at Chi Rui. “You bastard, how dare you deceive me!”

“It’s not a big deal, actually. That woman’s name is Bai Jie. I brought her in specifically to take care of the great-grandfather. Everyone in the Chi Family knows she’s with me.” Chi Rui quickly added, “Do you know why the great-grandfather didn’t want you to see his eyes today?”

Curious, I stopped and looked at Chi Rui with puzzlement.

Chi Rui had a somber expression, clenching his fist. “Because my uncle, Chi Hong, also found a master from outside. The great-grandfather’s intent is for you to have a fair competition with that master after my uncle arrives.”

“I’m here to make a deal, not to take a damn test. Your family’s mess is too much. Be careful, or I’ll lose my patience, flip out, and leave!” I couldn’t contain the sudden surge of anger and shouted.

Since arriving in Shenyang, I’ve encountered so many things along the way. I was already in a bad mood, and Chi Rui deliberately provoked me, almost getting me killed at the mass grave. It’s a miracle I still have the patience to deal with him.

And now Chi Hong appears, and I have to compete with someone?

I originally wanted to settle things quickly, make the life amulet, get the information I wanted, and leave. But now, I feel like I’m just a monkey being played by Chi Rui!

Chi Rui placed his hand on my shoulder and said in a deep voice, “I just received the news about this, Mr. Gu, so I’m sorry. I didn’t intend to delay. But since you’re here, I still hope we can continue with our deal.”

I narrowed my eyes. This bastard clearly had a double meaning in his words. He meant that if I dared to walk away, he wouldn’t say another word about the curse on our Gu Family.

This little bastard is threatening me again!

Chi Rui narrowed his eyes and stared intently at my face. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. “Don’t look at me with that gaze like you see a long-legged beauty. I’m a straight man, and that look of yours disgusts me the most.”

Chi Rui awkwardly touched his nose and said, “I just wanted to say that you, Master Jue Chi, might have to wait a few more days, but I promise, once this matter is settled, I’ll fulfill the promise I made to you.”

I frowned and turned to Jue Chi. “Monk, is there still work at your temple?”

Jue Chi shook his head. “There’s no issue.”

“Alright then. But from today onwards, for each extra day we stay, you’ll need to pay us an additional two thousand.” I chuckled, finally finding a chance to recoup the expenses I had incurred on this trip. Robbing the rich to help the poor-why not take the chance?

Chi Rui finally let go of his image and rolled his eyes at me, saying grudgingly, “Deal.”

Back in the room, I reflected on the day’s events. Aside from the slight pain in my arm from the car accident, things were going well. Especially with the two thousand a day, I almost hoped Chi Rui’s uncle would take a few extra days to return so I could earn more.

But things rarely go as planned. Early in the morning after we had been staying for three days, Chi Rui woke Jue Chi and me, saying his uncle had returned with the said master.

I groggily opened my eyes, hurriedly washed up, and followed Chi Rui out.

Know your enemy and yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles with no danger of defeat. Since I had to confront this master, I needed to be alert. I couldn’t let this ruin the reputation of the Gu Family.

The three of us stood at the entrance of the mansion, waiting for about ten minutes. A brand-new Mercedes pulled up to the entrance of the Siheyuan. A man in his thirties, dressed in casual wear, got out from the back seat. He didn’t look much older than Chi Rui.

Following him was a man dressed in lama¹ robes. His hands were clasped together with prayer beads, and he kept his head bowed, obscuring his expression.

As the two approached the entrance, Chi Rui stepped forward and called out, “Long time no see, Uncle. You seem to have gotten a few years younger. And this is…”

“This is the eminent monk I brought back from Tibet, Lama Duoren.”

Chi Hong turned and introduced the lama to everyone. Standing at the back, I observed the lama-it looked like he fit the part, though I had no idea about his actual abilities.

Moreover… since when have I heard of a lama treating eye conditions?

With that thought, I discreetly tugged on Jue Chi’s sleeve. Although this monk and Tibetan lamas aren’t exactly the same, they’re similar in some ways. Maybe he knows something about it?

“Monk, what do you think of this lama?”

Jue Chi glanced at the lama before responding quietly, “He does have some abilities.”

I nodded, still unable to suppress a frown. Jue Chi’s words are always understated; if he says “some abilities,” that means the lama is quite capable.

It seems he’s a formidable opponent. I can’t afford to underestimate him.

Over there, Chi Rui and Chi Hong were done with their cordial greetings, looking the epitome of uncle-nephew affection, just short of holding hands.

With Chi Hong’s arrival, the atmosphere in the courtyard turned tense. By midday, great-grandfather Chi, who hadn’t been seen in days, reappeared and arranged for everyone to have a meal together.

As we sat around the table, the air was thick with mutual compliments. I responded casually, waiting for them to steer the conversation to the main issue.

After several rounds of drinks, it was Chi Hong who first broke. Holding up his glass, he said, “Grandfather, the Lama Duoren I specially invited not only excels in ghost catching but also knows some Tibetan secret techniques. He’ll surely be able to cure your eyes.”

As soon as Chi Hong spoke, Chi Rui couldn’t hold back. He stood up and said, “No one here really knows what these Tibetan secret techniques are. Can you be certain, Uncle, that they will work? Great-grandfather is quite old now and can’t handle any unnecessary stress.”

“Enough.”

Great-grandfather Chi snorted, tossing his cane aside and removing the sunglasses from his nose. It was my first time seeing great-grandfather Chi’s eyes.

Due to a congenital defect, his eyes appeared normal at first glance, but they lacked any vitality.

I frowned. Congenital conditions are the hardest to treat. If it were a condition developed later in life, with modern medical technology and the aid of a life amulet, I could guarantee an eighty percent success rate.

But now, I don’t even have a twenty percent chance.

Footnote:

1. Lama(喇嘛): A title for a teacher of the Dharma in Tibetan Buddhism, often used to refer to monks who have reached a certain level of spiritual development.