With the final stone placed, the sword struck straight for the throat. Xuan Mo successfully won by half a point and said, "Old man, you're very strong."
Sangyuan burst out laughing. "I'm old, I'm old. I can't compete with you young people at Go anymore."
After playing against the Chess Sage Sangyuan, Xuan Mo's Go skills improved by leaps and bounds. (When it came to Opening Strategy, he was good at attacking and killing, but not at opening.) Now, he stood at the Promotion Tournament venue, ready to face a new challenge. This competition meant a great deal to him. It was not only a test of his strength, but also a crucial step toward advancing to a higher rank.
Early in the morning, sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains and spilled across Xuan Mo's Go board. He rose early and began his daily practice. Every stone he placed embodied his careful consideration of the Chess Game. He knew that the opponents in the Promotion Tournament were experts from all over the country, and even the slightest carelessness could lead to defeat.
Fang Xu coughed and said to Xuan Mo, "Little Mo, it's your first time here, so don't be nervous. You can definitely do this."
Hearing that, Xuan Mo nodded seriously, his face solemn. "Don't worry, Uncle Fang. An undefeated record is mine. If I lose even one game, I'll withdraw from this Promotion Tournament."
As soon as he finished speaking, a chess player nearby snorted with laughter. "Kid, isn't that obvious? This is an elimination tournament. If you lose, you're eliminated. Of course you'll withdraw after losing."
As the competition drew near, Xuan Mo grew increasingly nervous. He entered the venue and saw chess players from all over the country filling the seats around him. Every