Taboo Mage - Chapter 97 - Dinner Table Inquiries

Having been with Jue Chi for so long, it was the first time I saw a look of doubt in his eyes, his gaze piercing my heart like a knife.

I cleared my throat casually and said, “No, I ran into a lunatic who knocked me out and dumped me in a mass grave…”

As soon as I mentioned the mass grave, a sudden clarity hit me. Could it be that the place I was thrown into was Jixiang Street?

Jue Chi watched me for a long while without speaking, simply nodded his head, and then turned to enter the room.

I watched his expression, troubled by the thought that I had offended him again. Suddenly, I smelled a foul stench.

I wrinkled my nose in disgust as an aunt cleaning nearby glanced at me, covering her nose with a look of disdain as she passed by, even turning back to look at me again.

Frowning, I looked down at myself.

Damn it! I had been so focused on guarding against that bastard Chi Rui that I hadn’t noticed my clothes were torn, with several cuts across my body.

The stench was coming from me…

I rushed back to my room, not bothering to chat with Jue Chi, and went straight into the bathroom for a thorough shower.

Feeling refreshed, I stepped out of the bathroom, drying my hair as I looked for Jue Chi. He was sitting on the balcony with his eyes closed, seemingly lost in thought.

I walked over slowly and asked, “Monk, are you doubting me?”

Hearing my words, Jue Chi opened his eyes and shook his head, “No, I’ve just been really busy lately and am a bit tired.”

“That’s not it, you are doubting me,” I threw the towel onto the coffee table and walked over to him, raising my voice.

Jue Chi looked up at me, “I just don’t know why Chi Rui suddenly decided to kidnap you.”

I recounted everything that had happened from start to finish, and Jue Chi listened quietly. After I finished, he spoke solemnly, “It seems Chi Rui really has some conditions he wants to negotiate with you.”

“Right! Otherwise, why would he go to such lengths to test my abilities? But even if I did need something from him, I absolutely couldn’t tolerate being toyed with like that. I ended up giving him a severe scolding on the spot!”

I sat on the sofa with my legs crossed, thinking about Chi Rui’s deflated look, and couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

Jue Chi shook his head, “The Chi Family’s influence in Shenyang is not to be underestimated; you don’t need to make an enemy of him.”

I sensed something off in Jue Chi’s words and asked him if he had heard something at the police station. Jue Chi told me that the police officer responsible for handling the glasses-wearing man’s body had confided in him that Chi Rui’s family has a profound background, supposedly connected to Beijing.

Moreover, as the only male heir of his generation in the Chi Family, Chi Rui has always been protected by his family. His business is booming, and he’s also involved in some other matters.

These other matters naturally go without saying, otherwise, he wouldn’t have sought me out.

But since Chi Rui has such a powerful background, with the world being so vast, if he really needed to, what kind of life amulet master couldn’t he find? Why insist on finding me, someone with only mediocre skills?

Jue Chi shook his head and said, “The Gu Family’s craftsmanship in making life amulets has always been unmatched; it’s just that you haven’t mastered it yet.”

I chuckled sheepishly, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Indeed, when my Grandfather and Father were around, our home was bustling, with people coming every day to request life amulets, from the auntie next door to CEOs of listed companies. However, my Mother forced me not to learn, which led to my lack of skill.

Now, relying on a book of ancient knowledge passed down from my ancestors, I manage to scrape by, but if I were to face a real challenge, I’d probably be helpless.

We discussed the Chi Family matter further, and eventually agreed to hold off on taking any action for the time being, to see what exactly Chi Rui intended to do.

After our discussion, I decided to go out and grab some food. Since Chi Rui has been my neighbor these past few days, I have been spending my own money, which hurts for two reasons: one, I used to make a good amount, but lately, I’ve been depleting my savings with nothing coming in.

As for Jue Chi, there was no counting on him, a poor monk.

After changing my clothes, I went to knock on Chi Rui’s door. The door opened immediately, and Chi Rui, now dressed in more casual attire, greeted me with a smile. “Mr. Gu, did you have a good rest?”

“No, I was planning to go out for dinner with Jue Chi. You’re welcome to join us if you don’t mind.”

Chi Rui nodded, locked his door, and followed us out.

True to form, dining with Chi Rui immediately elevated the quality of our meal.

While in the elevator, I casually mentioned that I had been short on cash recently and that Jue Chi and I had been surviving on instant noodles. Chi Rui immediately instructed his driver to take us to a high-end hotel.

After a feast of exotic delicacies, I pulled Chi Rui aside and asked him about something he mentioned back at Chan Guang Monastery-whether there really was a way to break the Cycle of Cause and Effect curse that plagued our family.

Chi Rui, downing his drink, nodded vigorously and swore that if he spoke a single lie, let his ancestors’ graves from the Chi Family burst into white smoke.

I nodded, feeling a great relief in my heart. Discussing business over drinks was one of the most entrenched parts of Chinese culture.

After a few rounds of drinks, Chi Rui asked me what exactly a life amulet was.

I found the question profound; first off, I myself didn’t fully understand what a life amulet was-it’s all passed down from our ancestors, and I was merely following their teachings.

Moreover, even if I knew, why should I tell him? His covetous intent towards our family’s life amulet was all too apparent!

Seeing that I wasn’t going to respond seriously, Chi Rui didn’t press further. Instead, he just poured me a few more drinks before collapsing on the table, snoring loudly.

Watching him, I couldn’t help but laugh. Think he could get me drunk? I’ve been raised on baijiu¹ since I was a child, sitting on my grandfather’s knees!

Jue Chi remained silent throughout, quietly enjoying his meal. When Chi Rui finally slumped over the table, he gave me a look and slowly said, “Don’t go too far.”

“Who’s going too far? He tries to take advantage of me, can’t I return the favor?” I pushed myself up from the table, swaying slightly.

Jue Chi shook his head. “What I mean is, if you get him drunk, who’s going to carry him back?”

I paused for a moment, then waved dismissively. “Who cares! Best if a female ghost takes him away at midnight and drains all his vitality!”

Footnote:

1. Baijiu(白酒):Baijiu is a traditional Chinese distilled liquor, typically made from grains such as sorghum, corn, and wheat.