Romance of Dragons and Snakes

Chapter 55: The forced gamble

“You!”

Zhao Jun had a good ear and had instantly deduced the meaning behind Wang Chao’s words. Casting an eye at him, Zhao Jun had suddenly noticed the malevolent smile on Wang Chao’s face.

It was with great shock that he jumped back as Wang Chao’s hand struck like lightning towards him. Grabbing hold of Zhao Jun around the neck, Wang Chao prevented him from escaping his grasp.

From the perspective of an outsider, it looked like the two were happily talking to each other.

“I’m only joking, just joking.” Wang Chao’s face transformed into a harmonious smile as if the spring wind had cheered him up. “Mister Zhao played a joke on me a year ago, so today I will repay the drop of water you gave with a gushing fountain. If I have scared mister Zhao, then please forgive this one.”

“Hmph!” In a moment, he had felt an instantaneous flash of killing intent and lose his bearings. With such a slip up, he was angry at both himself and Wang Chao. With a snort that sounded like he was annoyed a mosquito, Zhao Jun spoke, “And how are your parents faring recently?”

These words held an undisguised threat in them that could be heard from anyone.

Without a twitch in his expression, Wang Chao answered, “They’re doing fine like vegetables in spring. But in the human lifespan of a hundred years, how might there never be a problem? It is fortunate I understand the principle of treating my friends well so it is easier to meet them in the future. Lin Chong had once forced the hedonistic son Gao Yanei into a desperate situation; mister Zhao’s goals are quite ambitious, his words and actions shouldn’t repeat the same actions of that same scenario.”

TL Note: Lin Chong and Gao Yanei are both characters from the famous Chinese novel, Water Margin

“Fine fine.” Wang Chao’s words had caused Zhao Jun to concede before laughing, “I wouldn’t dare be Gao Yanei. But you yourself are even more amazing than Lin Chong. You say you treat friends well for a better future, but my philosophy is to beat the snake to death before it bites. A snake will definitely cause harm, and if the grass isn’t cut, then another snake will take its place.”

“To say the truth, when I heard your response just now, I knew that your future would be bright. In the past, I had only thought you to be a wet eared child. But then you tried to get close to Zhu Jia, so crushing you like an ant was my course of action. Who knew that I had invoked the ire of a snake that wishes to turn into a dragon? We’ve already set the bridge between us, you are a threat to me, and if you gain more power in the future, then my life will be even more difficult. Now that I’m on the tiger, I must ride it; either we become friends, or I will dispose of you. However, my life is in your hands quite literally now, so, enlighten me, what should I do?”

Although Zhao Jun had lose himself when he was grabbed, he instantly grew calm once more.

At those words, Wang Chao knew that Zhao Jun wasn’t some fragile glass vase and would be difficult to deal with.

“Don’t say that the two of us won’t be related. I’m not convinced that with this bridge between us, one of us won’t die. A result like that would displease me. Allow me to hear your words, if you kill me here, then the police will kill you, if you support me, then we can cooperate in the future. These two paths, choose them wisely.”

Zhao Jun had remained calm and tried to bring authority into his own hands once more.

“Then mister Zhao is trying to have me kill him. If you wish for it, then I have no choice! A man walking barefoot doesn’t fear putting on shoes, and so for this life to be exchanged for the life of a governor, that would be quite the deal!” Wang Chao remained unswayed by Zhao Jun’s words. His hand began to clamp down causing Zhao Jun to feel pain in his neck.

“Slow down!” Zhao Jun called out hastily, he was the opposite of Wang Chao; his feet were afraid of going barefoot. “There’s still one way so stay your hand!”

“What way?” Wang Chao spoke,

“You currently have some power, and the underworld has a way to solve this problem. No matter who is right or wrong, it is disputed in a duel. If we wish to resolve the matters between us, we should adhere to these rules.”

“Eh! So that’s why you brought one of the three tigers of Guangdong, Zhang Wei!” Wang Chao spoke.

Zhao Xinglong had once said before that the crime syndicates by the coast had always settled things by a bet.

The biggest gamble had been between the Chenshi Corporation and Hong Kong’s Huaxing party for a sum of two billion. In the end, master Zhang Guangming had been killed by Chen Aiyang by the use of the Hidden Jin via the tiger stance.

The big scaled companies in the coastal areas were linked to the underworld intrinsically, some had been completely washed over the criminal world. In the past, the underworld had been called by a different moniker, such as the Lu Lin, or even the Wulin. In Ancient China, any disputes amongst the Wulin had always been determined by the outcome of a battle. The winner would be the righteous one.

Wang Chao knew that even during the time of the Central Guoshu Institute, disputes had been resolved by a fight of martial prowess.

Of course, when Xingyi master Li Cunyi had formed the Chinese Warrior Association in Tianjin City, he had undergone many disputes with the Shandong Guoshu and won them all.

“Do you mean to say that Zhang Wei and I should fight? And if I win, then the matter between us will be written off?” Wang Chao’s eyes flashed joyously.

“No no no…” Zhao Jun spoke. “Not now, this is a private match so it won’t count. A matter like this should be resolved with a bang. Let’s put this off for later, I don’t wish to miss out on such a gamble.”

“In one month, my Ike Corporation and your Tianxing Networking will settle this in Chaozhou, Guangdong. When the time comes, I will invite several big shots to come and buy stock. Master Chen Aiyang, Master Ma Hongjun, Master Xue Lianxin, and even Master Zhu Hongzhi will be our witness. There won’t be any trickery, so why don’t we make this bet a hundred million?”

“A hundred million?” Wang Chao was startled.

“I know that your Tianxing Networking is only worth fifty million, so how about this? Both of your hands will be worth 25 million each!”

“Am I that costly?” Wang Chao smiled coldly.

“You have a reputation from being the overseer at the Taekwondo dojo for a year. Once again, my life is in your hands, so I have to concede this.” Zhao Jun shrugged.

“Do you agree or not? After this match is settled, I will pledge that I won’t start trouble with you again. If I go back on my word, then I will reap the consequences.”

“Good, I accept!” Wang Chao spoke.

“You sure are brave. I’ll send over a contract in ten days. Although a gambling contract holds no legal weight within the country, the underworld will accept it as proof.” Zhao Jun spoke as he slowly massaged his neck.

“This is Zhang Wei, come get to know him!” Zhao Jun turned around and gave Zhang Wei a look.

Nodding, Zhang Wei came forward to extend his hand to Wang Chao.

Chi! When Wang Chao and Zhang Wei pressed hands, Cao Yi, Zhang Tong, and the others could all feel the ground beneath them begin to shake.

Then, the rug underneath both combatants feet began to split apart with a sound of ripping fabric.

When the two had begun to use Jin, it had escaped from their legs and transformed into a knife like force that cut apart the carpet.

The two drew back their hands without another further movement.

“Boss Zhao, let’s go.” Zhao Jun spoke emotionlessly. Adjusting his gold rimmed glasses, Zhao Jun gave a cold smile to Wang Chao before leaving the building.

“He is strong.” As soon as the two left the building, Wang Chao’s body loosened, some beads of sweat could be seen coming from his pores.