<h4>Chapter 1233: Chapter 1245</h4>
Chu Ge’s scrutinizing gaze fell on the man lying on the sofa. He was slim, with a listless demeanor, looking quite sickly as if he were unwell.
On the coffee table in front of him, sat the waste stone from which Chu Ge and Wei Xiang had absorbed Spiritual Energy during their gambling stone session.
Chu Ge slightly narrowed his eyes, a hint of surprise flickering in them.
The man on the sofa nced at Chu Ge, chuckled softly, and said, "Sir, does this waste stone look familiar to you?"
Chu Ge’s gaze became focused as he pondered, could it be that he has seen through something?
"What do you mean?"
Chu Ge asked.
The man on the sofa toyed with his fingers and said quietly, "My name is Zhang Tao, I’m the actual boss of this Gambling Stone Field."
Zhang Tao slowly raised his hand to see Chu Ge and said, "Mr. Chu, I’ve heard of your reputation in Capital City. But I’m curious if your fame relies solely on these unsavory methods?"
Chu Ge’s lips curled into a faint smile on one side. It seems today he met an expert.
"Boss Zhang seems quite knowledgeable as well."
Chu Ge said quietly, then he sat down directly without Zhang Tao’s invitation, crossed his legs, and looked at Zhang Tao.
"Since you can see that I’ve tampered with this stone, you must also have some martial arts skills. But I’m curious, if you know martial arts, howe you can’t solve your own problem of closed meridians?"
Zhang Tao immediately cast an odd look at Chu Ge, his gaze shifting unpredictably and hard to read.
"You can see the issue with my body."
Zhang Tao said quietly, always staring at his wrist. Chu Ge looked over and realized there was a small green snake on that wrist.
The green snake coiled around his wrist obediently.
"Seems the rumors are true; Mr. Chu is a quack with some tricks up his sleeve."
Zhang Tao chuckled,zily leaning back on the sofa, fingers tapping lightly, "I wonder if Mr. Chu thinks my illness can still be treated?"
Chu Ge gazed at him indifferently; he didn’t think Zhang Tao sought him just to cure him.
Chu Ge lowered his gaze slightly, speaking calmly, "Boss Zhang, your true reason for finding me is this waste stone, right?"
If it’s about the waste stone, then let’s discuss the waste stone.
Zhang Tao was taken aback, and his face turned sullen, evidently interpreting Chu Ge’s words as unwillingness to treat him.
Zhang Tao gazed darkly at Chu Ge, saying, "Mr. Chu, since you know I came for the waste stone, aren’t you afraid?"
Chu Geughed heartily twice, saying, "Why should I be afraid? I understand the rules at the Gambling Stone Field, using True Qi to absorb the Spiritual Energy from the stone and win at the end was established long ago. Is Boss Zhang saying you can’t afford to lose this waste stone and want to settle the score with me?"
The small snake on Zhang Tao’s wrist seemed to sense its owner’s anger, suddenly bing restless.
"Mr. Chu, I guess you don’t understand the rules of my Gambling Stone Field."
Zhang Tao slowly lifted his gaze, a brownish light shing in his eyes, "Here, all rules are determined by me."
As his words fell, two strong men in ck quickly moved behind Chu Ge, apparently trying to restrain him.
Chu Ge remained calm, gazing indifferently at Zhang Tao, saying, "What’s Boss Zhang nning to do?"
Zhang Tao gazed quietly at Chu Ge, saying, "This is my territory; on my turf, I do as I wish."
Chu Ge attempted to stand, but suddenly his shoulders dipped as two ck-clothed men pinned him to the table.
Chu Ge red vehemently at Zhang Tao, "Since you know I am a cultivator, you should understand your men are beneath my notice."
Zhang Tao sneered slightly, after calming the snake on his wrist, he looked at Chu Ge, "I know you cleared Nangong Man Sha’s meridians and are quite skilled. If you help me, I won’t pursue the waste stone matter. How about it?"
Chu Ge looked at Zhang Tao, now realizing he intended to cajole him intopliance.
"Ha, what if I refuse?" Chu Ge said.
Suddenly, he felt a chill on his neck as a de pressed against it.
Chu Ge nced sideways, the corners of his lips curving slightly, "Seems if I don’t help you, you’re not letting me leave."
"I’m sorry, Mr. Chu, to threaten you this way. But I have no choice."
Chu Ge gazed at him coldly, finding threats the one thing he despised most in life.
Zhang Tao was about to say more when suddenly two cries of agony rang out.
Without knowing when, the knife pressing against Chu Ge’s neck had pierced deep into the two ck-clothed men.
Zhang Tao froze, pressing his lips together, ring at Chu Ge, "Chu Ge! Looks like you really chose pain over the easy way!"
Chu Ge wiped his hands, chuckling softly, "Boss Zhang’s hospitality is truly unique. But nothing irks me more than coercion; the more you want me to do, the less inclined I am."
Chu Ge then realized Zhang Tao’s legs couldn’t support him for some reason, and he stood awkwardly on the sofa, arms at either side, unable to rise.
"Chu Ge! Do you even know who you’re speaking to? Do you know who I am?"
Zhang Tao puffed angrily, his face flushing with rage.
Chu Ge looked at Zhang Tao indifferently, "Aren’t you the owner of this Gambling Stone Field? I know that already."
"Ha, you’re mistaken; I am not just the owner of this Gambling Stone Field; I’m the underground Dragon of the entire Capital City. Even those ancient ones from the Six Major Families of Kyoto defer to me. Yet you dare treat me with such disrespect!"
Zhang Tao red intently at Chu Ge, eyes seeming to shred him to pieces.
Chu Ge remained cid, "Is that so? Seems I underestimated you, didn’t expect your small stature to control the underground lifeline of Capital City."
The so-called underground lifeline includes both economy and power, many shadowy venues under control. One whomands the underground lifeline is never a simple character.
But looking at Zhang Tao, anyone would doubt his capability tomand; clearly, he holds hidden stories.
Zhang Tao sneered coldly, grinning savagely, "Do you know, I could turn jade into waste stone back in the day!"