Another Game of Go

When Chu Jiuyue returned to the back garden, she saw Yu Emperor sitting in a pavilion, enjoying pastries.

Yu Emperor sensed that the people outside had left, and glanced at Chu Jiuyue who was walking over. This girl was getting more and more talkative.

"Xian'er also came, urging her Older Brother to plead for the child."

Yu Emperor sighed softly, "Ever since Li Junye's death, she has harbored resentment towards me, her father, yet she has repeatedly made exceptions for this child."

Chu Jiuyue said in a low voice, "This shows that the little Princess has grown up. It's no wonder His Majesty knows about Li Junye."

Yu Emperor's eyes flickered slightly into a daze, then he smiled gently, seemingly in a pleasant mood.

"That child has a dissolute nature, but he has quite a few connections. The Xia Family even risked offending the Buddhist Sect to plead for him. The other three Divine General Residence, however, remained calm and didn't say a word."

Chu Jiuyue smiled bitterly to herself. If the other three Divine General Residence also came to plead for mercy, it would probably backfire.

After all, if the Five Divine General Residences plead for one person, whose All Under Heaven is All Under Heaven?

Let alone Yu Emperor, any Monarch would be afraid and wary of him.

"It's only natural that Xia Family would come here out of gratitude," Chu Jiuyue said in a low voice. If she hadn't come, it would have seemed like she was deliberately avoiding suspicion, which would naturally be against His Majesty's suspicion, and wouldn't have been very open.

"The ancestor of the Li Family is quite composed. As expected of a veteran general who followed the Late Emperor into battle, he knows that, in terms of morality, reason, benefit, and harm, I would not harm this child at this juncture."

Yu Emperor tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his eyes filled with a smile:

"This Buddha Master is too hasty. He's so eager that he's colluding with Demon. His desire to Dao Contention a saint is far too strong."

"But in this All Under Heaven, we speak of principles, principles of Daoism, not Buddhist principles."

Chu Jiuyue's eyes flickered, but she wasn't surprised. The collusion between the Buddhist Sect and Demon was extremely secretive, but His Majesty already knew about it, and so did he, so it wasn't unexpected.

After all, no paper can contain fire, not even Buddha Light's Kasaya can.

"That child did solve a major problem for us, but unfortunately, his methods were too crude."

"However, roughness has its advantages; it's like laying the groundwork for my next move."

A slight smile played on Yu Emperor's lips.

Chu Jiuyue remained silent. Even in front of the court today, he couldn't be entirely sure that His Majesty would forgive the child.

Although the child's actions were in their best interest, the ministers were right about one thing: the child was growing up too fast, fast enough to be alarming!

Its threat far exceeds that of the Buddha Master.

Although he was one of Yu Emperor's closest and most trusted confidants, he could not be said to have fully understood the emperor's heart.

After all, when the late Late Emperor passed away, his sons seized the throne, and everyone witnessed how ruthless this emperor was. He was not a soft-hearted person.

After a brief silence, Chu Jiuyue looked at Yu Emperor and finally voiced the question that had been lingering in her heart:

"Your Majesty, there is something I do not understand."

"Explain."

Why are you so at ease with that child?

Chu Jiuyue narrowed her eyes slightly.

This is what he could never understand.

Was it merely a game of chess played by the Willow Tree River?

Or do you still believe that the child is exceptionally Heavenly Talent and might become a saint in the future, rather than usurping the throne?

However, if one becomes a saint, it becomes difficult to overcome the Dao Gate of Incense.

Moreover, human nature is unpredictable. The stronger a person is, the more they prefer to keep the initiative in their own hands rather than hand it over to the other party based on fragile trust.

Upon hearing Chu Jiuyue's words, Yu Emperor's smile faded slightly. He did not reply, but instead looked up at the late-season peach blossoms before him, their petals resembling Falling Leaves in the wind, drifting away.

The scorching summer sun beats down, and spring flowers wither early.

"I want to play a game of chess."

Yu Emperor said softly.

Chu Jiuyue was slightly taken aback.

Yu Emperor, however, had already stood up and said, "You don't need to follow. Tomorrow at the morning court, just say that I am deeply grieving for the Buddha Master and am unwell."

Chu Jiuyue's pupils contracted slightly, but she quickly concealed it and whispered, "But Your Majesty, what if the Buddhist Sect disciples are unwilling to accept this and cause further trouble?"

"Wait for me to return; the answer will be clear then."

Yu Emperor said.

Then his figure disappeared into the back garden.

Chu Jiuyue gazed at the pavilion, now empty in an instant, as petals drifted down onto the still-warm stone bench. He stared at them, somewhat lost in thought.

Qian Dao Palace.

This Daoist Temple, standing majestically atop Heaven's Gate Mountain, has become more Daoist Temple and solemn due to its proximity to the Imperial Family Imperial Palace and the numerous Daoist Temple bestowals it received.

At this moment, deep within the Daoist Temple, only a beam of light shines into the quiet Secret Hall.

Yu Emperor, dressed in a black dragon robe, appeared quietly and stood behind the Daoist Daoist sitting on the Meditation Cushion. The Daoist exuded an Aura of decay, and in front of him was the image of Dao Gate Saint Dharma Forms.

I'm planning a long trip to see that child.

Yu Emperor said in a low voice.

The Daoist Daoist on the Meditation Cushion slowly opened his eyes, and after a long while, he whispered, "Have you made up your mind?"

Yu Emperor paused for a moment before saying, "Let's go see him and discuss it further."

The Daoist priest paused for a moment, then said, "My lifespan is nearing its end, and my days are numbered. I originally planned to take the Buddha Master with me before I died, but I didn't expect a child to take care of me first, which saves me the trouble of waiting."

Yu Emperor nodded slightly.

He had originally planned to wait until the Immortal Gate reopened and the Jiang Family returned before purging them. The Buddha Master had already realized this, so in the race against time, he secretly cultivated the Mara eight hundred years ago, sacrificing his own power.

Unfortunately, he failed to perceive this in time and missed the moment when the Buddha Master was at his weakest.

"He colluded with Demon, racing against time, and also realized that I had already Communication to the Immortal Gate. My uncles and the Eighteenth Child are over there trying to contact the Sage and reopen the Immortal Gate. Unfortunately, one year in the Secret Realm of the Sages Mortal World ten years in the mortal world."

"Originally, their return coincided with the Buddha Master's funeral. The Incense collected for my Jiang Family would ultimately belong to my Jiang Family, and we would recoup our investment with interest."

"But now, this place has been discovered by people from the Immortal Gate. There is a strong possibility that a powerful figure is behind those three Desolate God, and their actions do not seem like simple Slaughter."

Yu Emperor's eyes sharpened. "No one, no matter who it is, can stop my Jiang Family from resurrecting our Progenitor. Now that the Perfection is near, we cannot afford any mistakes."

The Daoist nodded slightly and sighed, "Their foundation in the Immortal Gate is too shallow, and their situation is difficult. It's also uncertain whether they can befriend Sage. The time it takes for the Immortal Gate to reopen may be quite long."

Upon hearing this, Yu Emperor fell silent.

"If you choose that child, I will hold on for another ten years for Great Yu, to buy that boy another ten years."

The Daoist's voice was aged as he said, "Before I leave, I will take all the dust with me. If you haven't made a choice, then choose one of Chunsheng and Mingyue Jian to become the next successor of the Daoist lineage. I will then entrust this Daoist Palace to them."

The two people he mentioned were two carefully selected disciples from among his Personal Disciple.

Yu Emperor glanced at him; that withered and frail body had protected the Great Yu Dynasty for over three thousand years.

He lowered his head slightly and said, "Ten years is enough for that child."

The Daoist fell silent for a moment, realizing that the other party had already made their choice.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

Yu Emperor did not answer.

The Daoist sighed deeply and said slowly, "I hope you haven't misjudged him."

"Wait for me to come back."

Yu Emperor said softly.

A room that has been dark for a thousand years can be illuminated by a single lamp.

He knew what needed to be burned to light a long lamp.

Having said that, he slightly cupped his hands in greeting, and then his figure vanished in a flash.

This beam of light shone into the serene Secret Hall, and the dust particles drifted in the light, nowhere to hide.

Liang Prefecture, Heaven's Gate Pass.

After slaying the Buddha Master and returning from Boundless Mountain, Li Hao, along with the Candlelight God, Evening Primrose, and Old Feng, returned to the familiar Heaven's Gate Pass.

When Ren Qianqian learned that Old Feng's soul was missing, she burst into tears. This girl usually seemed cold and aloof, but she was extremely sentimental and easily moved to tears when she was with people she knew well.

After reassuring Ren Qianqian, Li Hao resumed his normal life.

He knew that the old man in the Imperial Capital must be having a headache over his own affairs at that moment.

He is also waiting for a result, which won't take too long.

Even if the outcome isn't ideal, he won't harbor resentment.

After all, that old man had given him so much help.

"Old Feng, it's been a long time since you've had my Roast Meat, haven't you? Try some."

The Small Courtyard was filled with the rich aroma of meat. When Li Hao was grilling, Candlelight God and Evening Primrose had already been tempted by the smell and their mouths were watering.

Old Feng sniffed, his sluggish expression softening slightly. He took the Roast Meat Li Hao handed him and began to eat it heartily.

Li Hao smiled and handed him the wine gourd.

The Aura of cooking filled the Small Courtyard.

Two days later, an old man dressed in a long black robe arrived alone at the Border Pass of Liang Prefecture.

Looking up, one sees towering city walls and Haotian Flag flying all over the city walls.

The flag fluttered majestically in the wind.

The old man looked up once, then slowly walked into the city.

He presented his travel documents and proceeded without hindrance. The soldiers who checked him could tell that the old man had an extraordinary air about him, that he was either rich or noble, and that he seemed to hold some power.

Inside the city, stalls of all kinds were set up, and young masters and ladies from the Aristocratic Clan strolled around, creating a prosperous and bustling scene that seemed completely unlike what one would expect from a border town.

The old man strolled around the city, observing its various features, and soon he reached the center of the city.

There stood a Hedge-Enclosed Courtyard surrounded by a fence; few people dared to approach it, though soldiers patrolled the area.

The old man smiled slightly when he heard the melodious sound of a zither drifting from the courtyard. This fellow was quite carefree, having killed the Buddha Master and still having the leisure to play the zither here. Little did he know that all over the All Under Heaven was already in chaos because of this matter.

He went straight to the Small Courtyard and was immediately stopped.

An old friend has come to visit.

The old man said.

The guard was quite strong, at the Fifteen Li Realm. He wanted to ask a few more questions, but he felt an indescribable sense of intimidation. Although the old man's expression was calm, his mind seemed to skip a beat, and he subconsciously nodded, then turned to go and report.

Please come in, distinguished guest.

Li Hao's voice came from inside the courtyard.

The two guards quickly ushered the old man inside.

Inside the courtyard, Li Hao's fingers stopped on the strings, a strange look appearing in his eyes, indicating some surprise.

The wall separating them couldn't block his senses; despite not deliberately probing, he recognized the old man at a glance.

He never expected that, after such a major event, this old man, who should have been in the Imperial Capital, would actually appear here; it was truly shocking.

If Li Hao still can't recognize the old man's identity by now, then he's really too slow-witted.

I was just waiting for news, but I never expected that they would come in person.

Li Hao quickly got up and went to greet him.

The old man and the young boy who had met by chance by the Willow Tree River have now met again in this Hedge-Enclosed Courtyard.

Li Hao cupped his hands slightly, about to bow, but the old man lifted him up with a force, saying, "No need to be so polite."

With just a few words, Li Hao immediately understood and realized that he had not mistaken the other party's identity.

"The environment is nice."

The old man glanced around and saw the girl practicing swordsmanship beside him, then he saw the somewhat slow and senile Feng Boping, and the sovereign of the Great Void Realm, the Candlelight God, sitting upright to the side.

The Small Courtyard was rather peculiar.

The old man chuckled to himself.

Li Hao asked in surprise, "Senior, why are you here?"

He did not address him as "Your Majesty," clearly indicating that the other party did not want to reveal his identity. Moreover, with dangers lurking in all the states of Great Yu and Demon in hiding, the fact that Yu Emperor had left the Imperial Palace and traveled to this Outside the Pass filled Li Hao with mixed feelings.

He had just killed the Buddha Master, yet the Buddha came to see him in person; this showed an excessive level of trust in him.

"I'm itching to play a game of chess."

The old man chuckled, noticing the Drawing Board, Ancient Zither, and Go Board in the courtyard—all placed in his usual seating area—and couldn't help but find it amusing. He said:

"You spend all your time playing these games, don't you ever cultivate?"

"This is cultivation, I've been working hard..." Li Hao thought to himself, but on the surface he just smiled awkwardly, there was no way to explain this.

"Moving here must have been tough. Have your Chess gotten rusty?"

The old man chuckled and strolled in the courtyard. He saw the young girl who had stopped practicing her sword tilting her head and looking at him curiously, so he smiled back at her.

"It's not too strenuous, and the Border Pass has its Border Pass scenery, all of which are Mortal World- class."

Li Hao chuckled and invited the old man to sit down in the courtyard.

He then asked Ren Qianqian to bring tea to serve them.

Ren Qianqian was surprised, not knowing the old man's identity, but she obeyed Li Hao's words without question and quickly brought tea to make tea for the old man.