Ten days later, Chu Ying's wild-card matches began. Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, casting mottled shadows across the wooden floor of the go room. Chu Ying sat before the board, facing his first opponent—a Fifth Dan player with some renown in the go world. His fingers gently rubbed the stones, savoring their cool, smooth texture. His opponent, a middle-aged man, sat with his brows tightly furrowed, seemingly pondering his next move.
The battle on the board was exceptionally fierce. Chu Ying's opponent pressed him at every turn, trying to crush the young challenger beneath a furious assault. Fine beads of sweat appeared on Chu Ying's forehead, but his gaze remained resolute. He knew that every move had to be impossibly precise; even the slightest mistake could cost him the entire game.
During a brilliant Opening Strategy, Chu Ying deftly exploited his opponent's mistake and won the match in one stroke. His opponent stood frozen, apparently unable to believe he had just lost to a young man. Chu Ying rose and gave him a slight bow to show his respect.
His opponent in the second game was also a Fifth Dan player, but Chu Ying did not let that lower his guard. He knew that every player had a unique style and strategy, and underestimating any opponent could lead to defeat. In this game, Chu Ying chose a more cautious opening, and each of his moves appeared exceptionally steady.
As the Chess Game progressed, Chu Ying gradually found his opponent's weakness. Then, during a dazzling shift between offense and defense, he ended the match with a masterful move. His opponent, a young woman, wore an unwilling expression, but in the end she still extended her hand to Chu Ying in congratulations.
His opponent in the third game was