Chapter Eighty-Nine: A Difficult Move in the Game

In the floral hall, Zhang Xun and the white-haired elder gazed solemnly at the chessboard in the center. On the board, four stones—two black and two white—sat on the star points, shimmering with light like two teams of soldiers waiting for the right moment to strike out into the vast, open territory.

Jun Ruochen, dressed in white, looked elegant and refined. A gentle smile graced his handsome face as he looked at his opponent, the free-spirited and unconventional Lu Liaoliao, with clear, calm eyes.

"Brother Lu, it has been over a year since we parted in Chengdu Prefecture. I never imagined that when we met again today, we would be forced into the role of rivals. Since you are two years my senior, why don't you allow me the courtesy of playing white and moving first?"

In the art of Go, playing white and moving first naturally offers a slight advantage. Jun Ruochen, determined to win this marriage selection hosted by the Wang family, was willing to use his age as a pretext to play second, showing his absolute resolve to succeed.

Lu Liaoliao responded with an indifferent smile and gestured for Jun to proceed, seemingly unbothered by the dispute over who should have the advantage of the first move.

The white-haired elder stroked his long beard, a cryptic smile playing on his lips. Zhang Xun, however, cast a cold glance at Lu Liaoliao, his distaste for the man’s superficial and arrogant demeanor growing deeper.

In the courtyard, a Wang family servant hurried over to deliver a record of the opening moves to the disciples of Wang Jixin.

"Everyone! Everyone! The fierce battle for the first move that we all anticipated did not occur. Young Master Ruochen of the Qin Marquis's estate has taken the white stones to move first. It seems this Lu Liaoliao is feeling quite confident."

The group who had placed their bets on Lu Liaoliao through Gu Xiehua looked at him with grim expressions. Gu Xiehua’s heart was pounding, though he maintained a confident smile on his face.

"You all know his nature. He acts all happy-go-lucky on the surface, but he’s incredibly full of himself inside—his tail is practically wagging in the clouds. The more he acts like this, the more certain he is of his victory, don't you see?"

The others stared at Gu Xiehua with skepticism. Panicked, Gu Xiehua pointed toward the board. "The game has started. Let’s watch, just watch."

During the opening phase, both players were cautious and meticulous, making solid moves that seemed somewhat unremarkable. Before they knew it, the game reached the middle stages.

The commentator nodded slightly. "You may think this game is plain, but in reality, this Lu, playing black, has needles hidden in silk; he has already slowly clawed back the disadvantage of playing second. The question now is how the white side will handle the massive formation black has built on the left."

The crowd behind Gu Xiehua breathed a sigh of relief, smiles appearing on their faces.

A gorgeously dressed elder with graying hair stared intently at the black formation. He turned to the commentator: "Master Liu, you and the Go Saint, Master Wang Jixin, both serve as Imperial Chess Instructors in the Hanlin Academy. Your skills are naturally extraordinary. How do you think the white side should handle this massive black formation?"

Master Liu smiled slightly, picked up a white stone, and placed it neither too near nor too far from the black formation, in a position that seemed inconsequential.

"This move is called 'erasing,' or perhaps 'teasing.' It’s like meeting a beautiful young lady on the street and pretending to accidentally brush against her. If she remains coy and doesn't resist, I take advantage of the situation and enjoy the moment. If she resists fiercely, I simply turn and walk away. Either way, I’ve gained a bit of an advantage, haven't I?"

Master Liu’s witty and easy-to-understand explanation drew laughter from the men.

"Indeed!" the elder nodded repeatedly. "In that case, the black player will start to have a headache."

Master Liu smiled with self-satisfaction. At that moment, a servant brought another record of the moves. Master Liu studied it carefully, his expression shifting in a fascinating display of changing emotions.

"What is it? What happened? Tell us!" the crowd clamored.

Master Liu moved the white stone down one line and muttered, "What level of confidence does it take to play a move that penetrates so deeply into the enemy's camp? It’s like meeting that lady from before and reaching out to touch her chest directly. 'I’m teasing you, what are you going to do about it?'"

"You’d naturally hack off his hand with a sword! Who could tolerate that?" a rough voice shouted from the crowd, triggering a roar of laughter.

"Master Liu, what is your strategy to counter this move?" the elder asked.

Master Liu pondered for a moment. "This move looks domineering and fierce, but it’s a bit excessive. If black simply plays a small diagonal move here, forcing the white stone to flee outward, he can use the pressure to turn the tide and secure victory."

Those who had bet heavily on Jun Ruochen looked troubled. The small group who had bet on Lu Liaoliao, along with Gu Xiehua’s crowd, cheered as if the victory were already in their grasp.

"However, this Lu Liaoliao is truly bold and extraordinary," Master Liu said, moving the black stone into a position that felt like the crushing weight of Mount Tai. "This momentum... it’s like the saying, 'Those who offend the Tang, no matter how far, shall be punished!'"

The elder, also a student of the game, looked closely and shook his head. "While this move is bold, there is still plenty of room for the opponent to maneuver. To annihilate him completely—it’s difficult, very difficult!"

"This struggle is too complex; it’s hard to see clearly. The outcome is truly uncertain," Master Liu concluded, studying the board in silence.

"I knew it! I knew it!" Gu Xiehua grumbled. "Why couldn't he just win steadily? He has to insist on capturing the opponent's invading stone to be satisfied." The people around him grew anxious again.

The ensuing slaughter was filled with brilliant, ingenious moves that left Master Liu in awe. However, because the board was so wide, the white dragon had finally caught a glimmer of hope for escape.

The records stopped coming for a long time. It seemed Lu Liaoliao had fallen into a difficult position and had begun a long period of contemplation.

Even Master Liu began to doubt the black side. Gu Xiehua’s face turned as gloomy as water; he didn't dare look at the mournful Cheng Changmu or the despairing Li Sheng.

After a long wait, the record finally arrived.

"Oh?" Master Liu placed a black stone into the empty space of the white dragon's formation. "At this critical moment, this Lu has actually abandoned the main battlefield. Is this a case of, 'You touched my lady, so I’m going to tear up your backyard'? But there’s hardly any space left on the board. For this stone to survive... it will be very difficult!"

Those who had bet on Jun Ruochen beamed, congratulating one another and boasting about how they had long foreseen that the young master from the Qin Marquis's estate possessed superior talent and skill.

Gu Ye and Geshu Xiaoye were doing slightly better; they had lost their jewelry and ornaments, but it was still within their means. Cheng Changmu, who had greedily bet a fortune, collapsed to the ground, clutching Gu Ye’s leg. "It’s over, it’s all over. I bet a portion of my family’s jade shop. Let me die, don't stop me."

Li Sheng looked at Pei Wuniang in despair. "That was my family's heirloom sword. How can I answer to the old man when I go back?"

Zhou Liuzi sighed bitterly. The jade pendant his junior sister had given him was lost. Was there truly no fate between them?

Gu Xiehua was in a state of panic. "This has nothing to do with me! How was I to know that the guy could have won easily but chose to lose on purpose?"

Lu Liaoliao, looking as pleased as a spring breeze, suddenly appeared behind them. He looked at them, bewildered. "What are you all doing?"

"You lost the game, and you’re still laughing!" Gu Xiehua snapped, pointing angrily at Lu's face.

"Lost the game?" Lu Liaoliao asked, surprised. "Who said I lost? That ignorant fool dared to challenge me—would I be worthy of my name if I didn't crush him completely?"

"What!" Cheng Changmu jumped up, looking at Lu in disbelief. "Brother Lu, you won? You really won?"

"Pfft!" Lu Liaoliao tossed his head proudly. "The person who can beat me hasn't been born yet. Why would I lie to you?"

Just then, Master Liu shouted, "Brilliant! Simply brilliant! So that invading stone was a deliberate sacrifice, used to build a thick, high wall on the outside. Then, he used that exquisite dig move to cut the white dragon into two pieces. The white dragon has been killed instantly, and the game is over!"

Cheng Changmu was so happy he nearly fainted and lunged toward Lu Liaoliao to express his gratitude.

Gu Ye subtly pulled Cheng back. "You know how my junior brother is. If he finds out we used him to win a fortune, he’ll throw a fit and demand a huge share."

Cheng Changmu’s eyes darted around, and he realized that Gu Xiehua and the others close to Lu were all acting perfectly calm, as if nothing had happened.

He slapped himself hard to force himself to stay calm, then put on a simple, honest smile as he looked at Lu Liaoliao.

Lu Liaoliao looked around, sensing something strange but unable to pin it down. He grabbed Gu Ye’s arm. "Since I’ve won the championship again today, it wouldn't be right if you didn't treat everyone to a celebration at the Zuixian Tower, would it?"

Gu Ye smiled and waved his hand generously. "Let’s go! To the Zuixian Tower to celebrate Junior Brother Lu’s victory! Everyone, let’s go. It’s all on me."

Lu Liaoliao turned and gave Gu Xiehua a triumphant look, as if to say, "See? I’ve swindled that sucker Gu Ye again."

"Old Wang, what do you think of this Lu Liaoliao?" Zhang Xun asked, his expression sour as he looked at the white-haired elder.

"His mind is agile, his thoughts like a horse galloping through the heavens. Even more rare is that he is not confined to a single corner. This boy’s future achievements will be extraordinary," the elder replied, stroking his beard.

Zhang Xun shook his head in disapproval. "I find Jun Ruochen of the Qin family to be meticulous and refined, upright without losing his edge. He is far better than the morally questionable Lu Liaoliao."

"I hear that Lu Liaoliao is a disciple of the two heroes of Shu, Master Taibin and the Poet Immortal Taibai, and has mastered the art of the Guiguzi Strategists. Those who follow the path of the Strategists are all proud and ambitious. It is only natural for a young man to be a bit arrogant," the elder said, taking a sip of his tea with an air of indifference.

"The Strategists can make the lords tremble with a single word, and bring peace to the world when they settle. They are all agents of chaos. This boy has poor character, and if he masters these arts and marries the Ninth Lady, gaining the Wang family's vast financial support... I fear he will bring internal strife to our Great Tang," Zhang Xun said, shaking his head, filled with anxiety.