Placing Pieces Under Heaven

Li Hao carried the food and drinks back along the way.

As we passed through the bustling streets, the streetlights along the way were already on.

The streets were bustling with pedestrians, and servants led tall horses along, with the wheels of carriages turning in the back, looking quite ordinary.

Those leading the horses all Soul Succession Realm; it's quite a lively scene...

Li Hao smiled.

As the time for the Li Family to choose True Dragon approaches, undercurrents are already surging in Qingzhou City.

In recent days, he has seen many people dressed in out-of-state clothing entering the city.

While dining at the Restaurant, I overheard discussions about it, including talk of a high-ranking official of the third rank who had come to Qingzhou City to support his nephew...

As far as Li Hao knew, his mother did not seem to have any relatives.

The First Madam said that his mother was born into a small Lineage was later destroyed by Demon Creature. She met his father, Li Tiangang, who helped her, and that's how they met and formed a good relationship.

These figures rushing to Qing Prefecture clearly indicate that the Second Madam has not given up...

That would be excellent.

Li Hao smiled lightly, not caring at all, but silently counting down the days, eagerly anticipating that day's arrival.

Passing by a bustling bridge embankment, Li Hao saw people Chess and Past a look.

Anyway, it's already late to go back now, so there's no rush.

"Don't push!"

Why are you squeezing in with just a child?

Those who have the leisure to watch and Chess are mostly middle-aged or elderly people; apart from Li Hao, there are only two young people in their early thirties.

When they finally squeezed to the front of the Go Board, they found that the game was only in the middle stages, yet the outcome was already decided.

Li Hao glanced at the board quickly and knew that White Stone was going to lose.

Although the White Stone pieces have formed Jiaolong, they are trapped at both ends and have nowhere to retreat.

Unless the White Stone have the courage to maneuver and bite off an arm of the Black Stone, they have little chance of winning.

But to be forced into such a desperate situation clearly shows that they had already shown their fear and could no longer muster such courage.

Li Hao shook his head slightly and glanced at the person Black Stone.

The other person was an elderly man with a ruddy complexion and white hair and beard. He was smiling and gently waving a folding fan, stirring up a breeze in the evening.

Waiting patiently for the opponent to concede defeat.

"I lost."

The White Stone was returned to the Go Box, and the old man with the White Stone in front of Li Hao slumped in defeat.

"Oh dear, what a pity."

"Tsk tsk, there was hope if we had placed the piece here earlier."

"Nonsense, it's clearly here..."

"I feel like I can still go in, why should I give up?"

The crowd watching with furrowed brows began to discuss the matter. Some expressed regret, others lamented the opponent's earlier mistake, and still others, not understanding the situation, thought that conceding defeat so hastily was too hasty.

People with different Chess skills will naturally see things differently.

But the Go Board is already set, and the game is over.

In the midst of the discussion, carriages and horses suddenly appeared crossing the bridge.

Seeing the crowd gathering by the bridge, the lead Coachman shouted angrily, "Get out of the way! Get out of the way! What are you blocking the way for!"

His arrogant attitude angered many people, but upon seeing the Jiaolong Blood Warhorse on the carriage, their expressions changed instantly, and they hurriedly gave way, not daring to stop him.

Soon, the crowd cleared, and the carriages and horses arrived.

Upon seeing the chess stall by the roadside, the carriage angrily shouted, "Get out of here! Get out of here!"

The others who stayed away whispered among themselves, saying that this Coachman had been servile to his master for so long, and now he was acting like a petty scoundrel, completely unreasonable.

Despite their resentment, they were outmatched, and the crowd in front of the Go Board quickly moved aside, no longer daring to linger there.

Even if,

They are right.

In the blink of an eye, only Li Hao and the Black Chess Elder remained on the spot.

And behind the old man were two young men in their thirties.

The Black Chess Elder continued to gently wave his folding fan, his gaze fixed on the willows swaying in the evening breeze by the river, seemingly ignoring the noisy commotion.

The two young men behind the old man both had a Killing Aura glint in their eyes. One of them turned his head and coldly looked at the approaching Coachman.

"What are you looking at?" the Coachman shouted angrily. He could tell that the remaining few people had an extraordinary demeanor and seemed to have some background, but even so, he was not polite to them.

In terms of background, how many people could compare to Yu the Great Yu's own patriarch?

"If you don't want your Lineage to suffer, get lost. Do you know who the master sitting behind me is?"

One of the young men suddenly stepped forward, appearing in front of the Coachman as if by teleportation, and slapped him across the face.

The Coachman's head tilted to one side, his neck broke, and he died on the spot.

Those who had been driven away were shocked to see this and let out a gasp.

Some people Dark Dao relieved, thinking that the wicked had gotten their just desserts and that they had gotten their revenge.

Some people, however, felt that although the Coachman was wicked, his crime did not warrant death.

Then she felt sorry for the other person.

But the young man didn't even glance at the Coachman again, and went straight to lift the curtain and step inside.

An exclamation came from inside the carriage. Inside sat a plump old man dressed in fine clothes, seemingly not expecting anyone to suddenly intrude.

There were also women inside, who all gasped in surprise and wanted to shout angrily, but the cold, sharp gaze that swept over them by the young man forced them all to turn pale. They felt as if they would be strangled to death by this brute the moment they opened their mouths!

Slap yourself, kneel down, and get out of here.

The young man uttered eight words in total.

The obese old man trembled, stammering in shock and anger, "Do you know who I am? I know the Prince Yan, I..."

There might be someone above you.

The young man coldly interrupted him, "But there's no one above our master anymore!"

"Say another word, and none of you will leave here!"

A chilling Killing Aura filled the carriage; the women were so frightened they wanted to cry but couldn't, cowering and trembling.

The old man's face was ashen, like a pig's liver. No matter how great his power, at this moment everyone was his enemy. A common man's anger could cause blood to splatter five steps away, and there was no difference Princes and Ministers.

He could only grit his teeth, slap himself in the face, then kneel down, enduring the humiliation.

Seeing this, the young man stepped away from the carriage and casually patted the rump of the Jiaolong Blood Warhorse.

This horse was originally fierce and difficult to train, but under the young man's slapping, it seemed to be startled and galloped all the way, startling passersby who shouted.

But since there was no one to drive it, it didn't go far before heading towards the riverbank. In its panic, it crashed headlong into the river, taking the carriage with it.

With a splash, he fell into the water, attracting many onlookers from a distance.

The young man, as if he had done nothing, quietly returned to the Black Chess Elder, his face calm, as if he had been standing there all along, without having moved an inch.

The Black Chess Elder looked somewhat disappointed, turning his gaze away from the riverbank and sighing, "What a pity for this river of Autumn Water."

With that, he prepared to get up and leave.

But as his gaze swept over, he saw a boy standing motionless beside him, picking up Chess Piece from the Go Box.

Throughout the entire ordeal, Li Hao's gaze never swept over the arrogant Coachman or the carriage.

In Qingzhou City, he didn't need to bow to anyone.

Unless, it's in that mansion.

At that moment, he picked up the White Stone from the Go Box, one, two, three...

He played as if entertaining himself, filling each of the White Stone in a single position, connecting them into lines, and creating a strategic advantage.

The force of the attack, resembling a dragon's claw, tore a bloody gash in the original Black Stone.

His move was not to continue the game, because the outcome was already decided, and this was no longer his game.

Today, he simply didn't want to see such stifling and frustrating things anymore.

So he sketched a line for it.

The Black Chess Elder raised an eyebrow slightly, glanced at the pieces on the Go Board, and then suddenly paused for a moment.

The two young men standing behind the old man, dressed in ordinary, simple clothes, changed their expressions slightly. The young man who had attacked earlier seemed about to take action and teach Li Hao a lesson, but was blocked by the folding fan raised by the old man.

"Young friend, you also know chess?"

The Black Chess Elder smiled.

"I know a little."

After filling in the chess pieces, Li Hao felt a little more at ease.

"Your choice of pieces is quite ingenious, young friend, and shows youthful vigor. Not bad!" the old man praised.

"Youth has its own youthful exuberance."

Li Hao said calmly, "Please don't take offense, sir."

The Black Chess Elder silently recited Li Hao's words for a moment, then smiled broadly, "Since you understand chess, young friend, why not sit down and play a game?"

Li Hao glanced at the Go Board and thought for a moment:

"OK."

By this time, all the spectators had left, leaving only the four of them under the weeping willow.

Li Hao placed the numerous snacks and juggling toys he was carrying on the grass nearby and then sat down.

The Black Chess Elder glanced at it and smiled to himself, thinking, "He's still got the mentality of a young man."

But as Li Hao took away the things he was carrying, revealing his fine clothes, his gaze fell on the beautiful jade dangling from Li Hao's waist.

His eyes narrowed involuntarily.

The two young men behind him also noticed that this boy seemed to have some background, and his behavior just now was not that of an ordinary person. They also noticed the Dragon Blood Jade at the boy's waist, and their pupils shrank.

"Please, sir."

Li Hao said.

The Black Chess Elder snapped out of his reverie, a smile appearing on his lips. He hadn't expected that this chance encounter would lead him to see the child from all those years ago.

He began the game of chess with a smile.

Soon, the pieces were placed in sequence, with Li Hao playing white and going second.

The onlookers who had retreated to a distance dared not approach again, fearing they would get into trouble.

Moreover, the young man behind the Black Chess Elder had just displayed extraordinary skill, so he was probably not from an ordinary family. They were all unwilling to get close to him, lest they inadvertently provoke him.

Many passersby were drawn to the vehicles and horses that had fallen into the water in the distance, and many threw ropes to help.

Meanwhile, on Li Hao's side, the White Stone on the Go Board were already locked in fierce combat.

With the initial setup complete, the attack began in layers.

Li Hao showed no mercy in his moves, employing every move a deadly attack, and was even more ruthless and ferocious than usual.

The Black Chess Elder slowed down his moves more and more, and the folding fan that had been gently swaying before had been put away without him noticing.

Each time he made a move, he would furrow his brow, gaze intently, and ponder for a moment before placing his piece.

The young man, however, was swift, accurate, and ruthless, his attacks sweeping and overwhelming.

The Black Chess Elder grew increasingly solemn, completely focused.

The two young men behind the Black Chess Elder both changed their expressions slightly and glanced at the boy.

A moment later, the outcome of the game was decided on the Go Board.

The Black Chess Elder had a somewhat gloomy expression, clearly not expecting to lose, and to lose so badly at that.

He hasn't lost in many years.

The two young men behind him, their eyes gleaming with Anger, stared coldly at the boy.

It seemed that as soon as the Black Chess Elder made a statement, he would strike swiftly and decisively, ending the young man's life.

Li Hao seemed to sense something, glanced up, but didn't pay any attention.

He has no fear if a fight really breaks out.

The Black Chess Elder stared at the Go Board for a long time before slowly saying, "One more game."

Li Hao had already stopped, and said calmly, "You'll lose even if you try again."

The Black Chess Elder paused slightly; no one had ever dared to speak to him with such disdain.

But seeing that the boy didn't mean it, he took a deep breath, calmed his anger, and said:

"Let's play one more round. If you win again, I'll give you a small gift."

"I lack nothing," Li Hao said.

He just smiled after saying that.

The Black Chess Elder smiled and said, "You'll definitely like what I'm giving you."

"That's not necessarily true," Li Hao said calmly. "Besides, if you win again, I'm worried that the people around you might want to protect their master."

The two young men's expressions changed slightly, and they stared at Li Hao with cold eyes.

The Black Chess Elder pieces waved his fan and smiled at Li Hao, saying, "They're ignorant, don't take it to heart. If they've upset you, I apologize."

Upon hearing this, the two young men's expressions changed, and shock appeared in their eyes simultaneously.

The master actually... apologized?

Although they could only see the master's back, they seemed to sense a kind of majesty emanating from that figure beneath his kind voice. Both of them turned stern and dared not reveal any more Killing Aura.

Li Hao was surprised. He looked at the old man and saw that his eyes were sincere and gentle, which showed that he was indeed True Heart.

"Alright."

Li Hao agreed.

Thinking that the fight just now was indeed too fierce, it wasn't worth taking out that anger on the other party.

Soon, the second game began.

This time, Li Hao's approach was much gentler, and the two sides traded blows.

The Black Chess Elder was no longer as tense as before, and he even had time to chat while Chess:

"Speaking of which, you are so young, why are you so engrossed in the Chess Dao, instead of joining the army on the Frontier or diligently practicing martial arts to strive for Merit and Fame?"

"Merit and Fame and fortune are but dust, glory and wealth are but fleeting clouds."

Li Hao casually placed his piece and said, "The Ultimate goal of life is nothing more than to have enough to eat and wear. I seem to be lucky enough to have been born with no worries about food or clothing, so why bother?"

"Hmph, what a spineless coward!"

A young man behind the Black Chess Elder couldn't help but sneer.

Li Hao glanced up and said, "You think you're so great being a bodyguard?"

The Black Chess Elder looked at Li Hao with surprise. These were not words a young man would say; rather, they came from the mindset of an old man who had seen the world and experienced many hardships.

But the boy had previously been able to say that youth has its own kind of arrogant arrogance.

"A young man should aspire to great heights, traversing Nineteen Provinces in a single day."

The Black Chess Elder said with great interest, "Don't you want to see the view from the Mountain Summit?"

"What's so interesting about it? It's just the Mortal World."

Li Hao casually remarked, "Some people's journey is to the Xingchen and the sea, while I only desire poetry, wine, and pastoral life. To each their own."

The Black Chess Elder paused slightly, his hand Pause the piece.

He gazed at the boy before him, and a sense of unease stirred within him.

The young man behind the Black Chess Elder scoffed:

"You've never been to the Mountain Summit, how would you know what the view Mountain Summit? And yet you dare to spout such nonsense!"

Li Hao frowned slightly, glanced at it, and ignored it.

The Black Chess Elder snapped out of his daze, his face immediately hardening. He said, "Hua'er, apologize to the young master!"

What?

The young man seemed not to have heard clearly, staring at the Black Chess Elder with disbelief and shock.

My father actually made me... apologize to someone?

What is his status?

How many people can bear his apology, and how many dare to bear it?!

"Father... Master, I..."

"Um?"

The Black Chess Elder turned his head slightly to look at him.

His gaze was as calm as frost after a heavy snowfall, yet it instantly sent a chill down the young man's spine.

His expression changed drastically, sweat beaded on his forehead, and he hurriedly bowed to Li Hao, saying:

"Young sir, I apologize for my indiscretion."

"That's enough."

Li Hao waved his hand and said.

The Black Chess Elder smiled slightly, then continued to place his pieces, and continued chatting.

The conversation shifted from Merit and Fame to the influential figures who stirred up great waves of history. The Black Chess Elder asked the young man, "Have you ever longed for that?"

The boy then asked, "Are they still alive?"

The Black Chess Elder thought for a moment, then couldn't help but chuckle.

The second round is ready.

Li Hao won again.

But this time I went much easier, with more pulling and tugging, so it was a back-and-forth exchange.

Li Hao felt that the old man's Chess were slightly better than Fifth Master's, but still a bit inferior to his own.

"It's getting late, sir. Perhaps we'll meet again someday."

Li Hao got up, picked up the juggling items and food scattered all over the ground, which amounted to no more than three taels of silver, waved to the old man with a smile, and then turned and left.

I haven't given you a gift yet.

The Black Chess Elder immediately spoke.

"No."

The boy didn't turn around, but simply waved his hand behind him. "I told you, I lack nothing."

The Black Chess Elder paused for a moment, then chuckled and Whispers:

"In this world, who truly lacks nothing..."

"Hmph, so this is the renowned Li Family of Qing Prefecture, the third generation? Their cultivation is indeed formidable; I can't even see through it. But they're a bit foolish."

Watching the boy's departing figure, the young man who had apologized earlier looked gloomy and said with a mocking expression.

That young man probably has no idea how much of a fortuitous opportunity he just gave up.

Ridiculous!

The Black Chess Elder glanced at him indifferently upon hearing his words, said nothing, and instead gazed at the street where the young man had left, letting out a silent sigh.

If this child were my son, how wonderful that would be!

But it was just a fleeting thought.

He shook his head and smiled, saying, "This child's talent probably exceeds your imagination. At only fourteen years old, his Chess are already at a master level. Even with innate talent for Chess Dao, he still needs to study and practice..."

To have studied the Chess Dao to this extent in fourteen years and even cultivated to the Fifteen Li Realm is truly terrifying.

Both young men fell silent upon hearing this.

They couldn't refute that; it was indeed true.

At the Fifteen Li Realm years old, Shiwuli Heavenly Talent was beyond the reach of even them.

"You are being too modest. His Chess are only displayed on this small Go Board, while your Chess Piece, sir, have landed in the All Under Heaven..."

Another young man, with a slightly scholarly air, smiled and said.

Upon hearing this, the Black Chess Elder, though knowing it was a compliment, couldn't help but burst into laughter.

The frustration of losing two games in a row seems to have eased up considerably.

"Haha, not bad!"

"However, if I see this boy again next time, I will definitely win it back on the Go Board!"

He's not one to back down.

Having said that, he shook his sleeves, laughed loudly, and left towards the city gate.

"Sir, we've only just arrived; the real show hasn't even started yet. Won't you go and take a look?"

"I've already seen it, it's excellent, excellent!"