Chapter 1194: Chess Sage Battle
When Qing Wuzi was young, his family was poor and he’d sneak to a private school to listen to the teacher teaching, wanting to learn a few words. However, he ended up seeing the teacher playing chess and since then, he had become infatuated with it.
Regardless of whether he was chopping firewood, grazing the cattle, or farming in the fields, Qing Wuzi was constantly pondering about chess. He couldn’t afford to buy a chessboard so he drew lines on the ground and used stones as pieces.
He didn’t have an opponent, so he split his attention into two, playing his left against his right.
To temper his chess skills, he ground himself a chess set and then set up a stall in town. For those who could win against him in a game, he’d work for them for free for a month.
Therefore, those landlords and wealthy merchants who were bored and also wanted to take advantage of him came and played against him.
Qing Wuzi won against all of them.
Gradually, Qing Wuzi’s reputation grew. Some poets or even scholars and great teachers all came to play against him as well.
The more Qing Wuzi played, the better his chess skills became. When he was 29 years old, he became the Chess Sage and his name was known all over the world.
Thereafter, he never lost a single match.
After rising to fame, Qing Wuzi had to deal with the ways of the world as well. For example, he was unable to refuse the invitations from some emperors.
Therefore, he became some royal members’ Go teacher and taught them the game.
This situation continued for seven years until Qing Wuzi occasionally chanced upon an incomplete chess book. Since then, he forwent all fame and riches, went into seclusion in the forest, and focused on studying chess.
His departure went on for 20 years.
Qing Wuzi then came out from his seclusion, and countless Go lovers gushed forth toward him, wanting to play a match with him. Over ten Go grandmasters also wanted to challenge him.
However, Qing Wuzi told them that he was only willing to play life or death matches!
“What did that mean?
This meant that the players would have to put their lives on the line.
The loser would commit suicide on the spot.
With that, many people calmed down. However, some didn’t believe that they’d lose. As a result, Qing Wuzi played 17 matches and 17 people died.
Therefore, when the Qi Emperor announced that the various countries’ royal prince groups had to go up against Qing Wuzi in the Chess Sage Battle, various people from the upper society went crazy.
In the Nine Provinces, Go was a dignified entertainment.
Just like how there weren’t many people in the modern world who’d play Go, ordinary people knew that people who could play the game definitely didn’t have low intelligence.
It was impossible to act cool in a game of Fighting the Landlord[1], but it’d definitely seem cool for one to know Go.
In the Victory Public Square, the glowing Qi Emperor announced the rules with great spirit.
“Every royal prince group will send out three people to play against Chess Sage Qing!”
The Qi Emperor didn’t say that if they were to win against the Chess Sage, it’d count as three victories for them. It was because it was impossible for them to win.
The Chess Sage was going to give them a three-stones handicap, and the most terrifying thing was he was going to play all 15 matches concurrently!
“These people are all weaklings. Even if Qing Wuzi were to play 50 matches concurrently, he wouldn’t lose. It’d just be a little tiring for him.”
Tantai Yutang’s lips twitched. He wasn’t interested in Go. If it wasn’t because Li Ziqi was participating, he would have returned to the hotel to sleep.
Very soon, the matches started!
The players representing the Great Tang were Li Xuan, Li Ziqi, as well as Li Lin.
“This is it?”
When Qin Yaoguang saw Qing Wuzi in person, she was very disappointed.
This old man was all skin and bones, his skin all wrinkled, looking like a dehydrated rotting log. His gaze was also dull.
“Huh?”
Lu Zhiruo frowned and secretly tugged at Sun Mo’s sleeves. “Teacher, his aura doesn’t feel right! He doesn’t feel like a human!”
“Huh?”
Xianyu Wei was given a fright. “What is he if he doesn’t seem like a human?”
Sun Mo had always believed the lucky mascot’s luck. If it was something that could make her feel uncomfortable, then he’d have to be wary. Therefore, he activated Divine Sight.
Four big red words appeared. Unknown target!
As expected, the system blocked his ability again.
Sun Mo could only rely on his own capabilities.
In the arena, 15 chess boards were laid out in a row. The participants all looked as if they were facing a great foe, making each move very warily. Qing Wuzi, on the other hand, looked very calm and was seated on a cushioned seat with his legs crossed and his eyes closed. Only when he heard the crisp sound of a chess piece being placed would he raise his head and look over. He would then make the next move without giving it any thought.
Sun Mo had no idea if Qing Wuzi was trying to look cool, but his coolness was definitely at the Chess Sage level.
This battle was more of a performance. And because it was impossible to win, the criteria to see if the princes and princesses were outstanding would be on who could hang on for the longest.
It was dependent on who made the most moves.
As a result, over two-thirds of the princes and princesses chose a defensive battle tactic.
Xia Taikang and Jiang Yuzhen chose a strong offense as usual. Li Ziqi played a balanced match, waiting to see how the match developed before making her decision.
“This won’t do. The opponents are too weak and we can’t tell the Chess Sage’s real abilities!”
“Prince Taikang, Prince Zhao, and Princess Ziqi are doing alright!”
“The Great Tang’s crown prince is doing okay too!”
The spectators discussed amongst themselves.
15 minutes later, two people cast the pieces to indicate that they had given up on the match while wearing dejected expressions. Half an hour later, seven people entered a dejecting situation and were putting up a tough struggle.
At the one-hour mark, there was only Xia Taikang, Li Xuan, Wei Wu`an, Li Ziqi, and Xiang Zhao left in the arena.
“This Wei Wu`an is such a schemer!”
Sun Mo commented.
“Teacher, what did you see?”
Helian Beifang asked humbly.
“He knows that he can’t win, so in order to persist for a few more steps, he used weird moves, wanting to stimulate Qing Wuzi’s curiosity. He wants Qing Wuzi to feel pleased from seeing a prey, not bearing to cut him off right away!”
Li Xiu could tell that too and explained.
“Sly!”
Xianyu Wei didn’t like such people.
The truth was, at this stage, the few participants were starting to frequently spend a long time contemplating each move. There was no helping it. There was really no possibility of winning.
After another few minutes passed, Xiang Zhao sighed.
“I admit my loss!”
Xiang Zhao got up.
Hearing this, Li Ziqi threw a look at him and sank into hesitation.
“Should I concede too?”
If this continued, it’d just be a useless struggle. One would only be able to feel the tremendous pressure when playing against him. He was like a metal screen, with nothing being able to escape his grasp no matter what moves they used.
Li Ziqi was very proud and didn’t want to let others, especially her teacher, see her forlorn and struggling state. Since she was going to lose anyway, it was better to concede her loss coolly.
When the little sunny egg was hesitating, she looked toward Sun Mo.
Her teacher smiled and gave her an encouraging smile.
“Go for it. You can do it.”
Li Ziqi understood what her Teacher was mouthing. He was cheering her on. Suddenly, she thought of the lines her teacher often said.
(As long as the victor isn’t decided, don’t give up! Do you guys know? Victory isn’t decided during the match. It’s decided at the instant you give up! Persist a little longer! Your limits are far greater than you anticipate!)
Li Ziqi closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. When she opened her eyes once again, her expression changed.
(Even if I have to be in a forlorn state like a wretched cur, I will continue to fight!)
(It’s not just for me! But for Teacher too!)
The ears of Qing Wuzi, who was resting with his eyes closed, twitched. He opened his eyes and looked toward Li Ziqi. Then, he broke into a smile.
Excellent. Such an opponent, no matter how weak, was worthy of playing against!
If there wasn’t someone like her, then this battle would be too boring.
“Hurry up and think! Hurry up and think!”
Li Ziqi stared at the chessboard, using every bit of her brain. Suddenly, a thought struck her and a voice rang out.
[1] A popular card game in China..