Chapter 721: Meeting Hao Tao

When I arrived at the office, I didn't go up; I had Li Jia go alone to report to Tian Shi and also to see Secretary Qin to cancel my leave.

I drove away; I'm heading to Qi He Kuang.

Go check on this Hao Tao,

He's sure to have a lot of useful things hidden in his hands.

I'm especially interested in the Wang Family's affairs.

The car arrived at Qi He Kuang quickly.

Inside the mine,

Xiao Feng and Ding Li came out to greet us.

Ding Li asked, "Zhao Ge, who did Ruan Wei bring this time?"

I said, "A very important person. Have the detention places been handled as I instructed?"

Ding Li said, "Don't worry, I've done everything as you said. The windows are sealed, completely isolated from the outside."

Xiao Feng asked nearby, "Jianqiang, what happened again? We've only been calm for two days."

I told Xiao Feng, "Just a minor matter. Xiao Feng, you don't need to go; there are things you shouldn't say too much about. By the way, Ruan Wei will look for you later; give him five hundred thousand yuan."

Hearing that, Xiao Feng didn't follow me to the guesthouse.

On the top floor of the guesthouse,

We entered a room that had been specially partitioned, with no connection to the outside.

I knocked open the door.

The lights were on inside.

Ruan Wei was splashing water onto a man's face.

After seeing me come in,

"Zhao Ge, this guy hasn't woken up yet."

"Ruan Wei, don't be too rough; if you crush this person, it'll be a trouble." I took out a cigarette for Ruan Wei.

Ruan Wei took it,

"No, I only used thirty percent force on the neck, didn't expect this kid to be so resilient," Ruan Wei said.

"Ruan Wei, you have nothing more to do here; go give Xiao Feng five hundred thousand yuan and leave Zaocheng quickly," I said to Ruan Wei.

"Zhao Ge, we'll discuss the money later," Ruan Wei replied politely.

"Ruan Wei, no need to be polite; if we keep this up, there's no point.

If anything comes up, I'll call you again." I gestured for Ruan Wei to leave.

Ruan Wei nodded, then left with his men.

The room now only had me, Ding Li, and Hao Tao.

Hao Tao was loosely tied to a bench.

I reached into the nostrils to test breathing.

The man was fine.

I felt relieved.

I told Ding Li, "Find some urine; this stuff has a strong pungent effect, they'll wake up as soon as they smell it."

Ding Li smiled, went out, and soon returned with a bottle of urine.

I poured the urine from the bottle over Hao Tao's head.

A sharp, acrid smell

filled the entire room.

Ding Li hurriedly covered his nose.

Under the stimulus of the smell, Hao Tao gradually regained consciousness.

He lifted his heavy eyelids, looked at me and Ding Li,

then shook his head, trying to stay awake.

I watched Hao Tao without speaking.

It was about two or three minutes, I guess.

Hao Tao was now fully awake.

He showed a panicked look, glancing around.

He realized this was a completely sealed room.

He moved his limbs a bit and found his hands and feet were bound.

"Brother, tell me how much money you want; any figure will do.

Please, give me a way out alive," Hao Tao begged.

Ding Li and I smoked in silence.

Hao Tao continued pleading,

"Brother, I've heard that the whole 'immortal jump' scam is for money.

I have money, really have money; tell me, one million or two million.

I'll arrange for someone to bring it over immediately.

And I'll also guarantee your safety.

Brother, I'm telling the truth,

I don't even know you,

We've had no grudges in the past, nor any enmity now.

Please, big brother, spare me.

I looked at Hao Tao and smiled at that moment,

"Hao Tao, we're not after money."

"We're not after money; what do you want?" Hao Tao's voice trembled.

"Think about it: if it's not money, then it's a demand for life. Understand?" After I said that, I slapped Hao Tao's fair face.

Hao Tao was stunned by my strike.

He looked at me and Ding Li, his eyes darting.

After a while,

"Big brother, demanding a life is fine. I just have one thing I don't understand—big brother, please make it clear who is after my life. I want to die a perfectly clear death, and even as a ghost later, the grievance has a head and the debt a master."

"Ha ha, what a grievance with a head, a debt with a master."

Alright, I'll tell you who had us kill you.

"Zhuang Shi. You understand now, don't you?" I said with a smile to Hao Tao.

When Hao Tao heard the two words Zhuang Shi, he immediately deflated like a punctured balloon,

"I get it, damn it, I feel it's that old kid, really that undying old man causing trouble."

Hmph, had I known I would have struck first. Big brother, how do you want me to die? Right now I only ask for one thing.

"Speak," I said, looking at Hao Tao.

"Let me die painlessly; I cannot be made to suffer," Hao Tao said.

"That's easy. In a moment I'll stab you with a knife; you shouldn't suffer any sin." After I said that, I signaled Ding Li to draw the knife.

When Hao Tao saw the knife, sweat broke out.

"Big brother, there's another matter: can you find a way to inform Wang Ge of Sijiucheng, saying that I was killed by that Zhuang Shi,

as long as you give the notice, I'll have Wang Ge give you five million. I believe Zhuang Shi won't give you that much.

Big brother, you killed me, and there's still money to be made.

Let's cooperate on this.

This guy's mind works fast enough.

"I said before, we're not after money; no matter how much you have, we're not interested.

"Who is Wang Ge of Sijiucheng, and are you familiar with him?" I asked deliberately.

When Hao Tao heard that I was willing to let him talk about Wang Ge,

he hurriedly said, "Big brother, I'm very familiar with Wang Ge.

I am the White Glove of the Wang Family overseas.

Of course, big brother, you don't know who Wang Ge is.

He is the eldest son of Wang Lao Ye Zi of the Wang Family.

Wang Lao Ye Zi, that person was often seen on TV back then.

I only need to mention his name, and you'll be scared," Hao Tao said mysteriously.

"Who is it, that makes us scared, even now you brag," Ding Li taunted Hao Tao.

"Big brother, I'm not really trying to scare you; his old master is..." Hao Tao whispered.

"So it's that old guy.

Looks like the Wang Family has some strength in Sijiucheng," I said.

"Big brother, it's not just some strength; it's a huge strength.

I say this, not only Sijiucheng but also other cities, as soon as Wang Ge is mentioned, it's an earthquake.

Don't think the old master retired; his lingering power remains.

Many people are still his subordinates.

You think about it.

How strong the Wang Family's influence is,

you killed me,

where will you run.

Honestly, even if we gave you money, you couldn't spend it. Wang Ge will definitely take revenge.

Now you understand,

that I'm more badass than that Zhuang Shi.

What is he, anyway?

If you just let me go,

I'll speak nicely to Wang Ge on your behalf, and then I'll have officials, money, and women for you.

Everyone would be happy to do it.

Why suffer a mutual loss?

Big brothers, heed the brother's advice.

"We shouldn't walk a single road to darkness," Hao Tao said, foam bubbling at both corners of his mouth.

This guy really can talk.

If he were an ordinary bandit, he'd have already moved hearts with his words.

Fortunately our resolve is still strong.

After I finished listening to Hao Tao,

I said nothing, only kept smoking continuously.

「Big brother, what are you still hesitating about, let me go. 」

Like this, I'll take you to Sijiucheng; when the time comes, you'll meet Wang Ge with me.

I guarantee you'll be fine, Wang Ge is very magnanimous.

He also values talent greatly.

We will serve the Wang Family together,

「This is great—we'll make money together and share blessings together. 」 Hao Tao kept saying without stopping.