Xun Er Learns Go!

When Gu Long returned to the secluded courtyard he had purchased near Jia Nan Academy, the setting sun had painted the horizon a brilliant orange-red.

In the courtyard, a girl in a light cyan robe sat on a stone bench, resting her cheek on one hand as she gazed absently at the clouds in the distance.

That girl was none other than Gu Xun Er.

Hearing footsteps, she turned her head. When she saw Gu Long walking in, her clear eyes briefly lit up before quickly dimming again. Her little lips pouted slightly as she deliberately turned away from him.

As usual, Ling Ying remained concealed in the shadows, his aura steady.

Seeing Xun Er's expression, which clearly said, "I'm unhappy, come comfort me," Gu Long understood at once.

Although he had gone alone to the Monster Mountain Range for an important matter, it was only natural that the young girl would feel resentful after being left here by herself for several days.

He walked over to Xun Er's side. Rather than rushing to explain himself, he gently asked, "Are you angry?"

Xun Er huffed and still refused to look at him, her voice muffled. "Brother Gu Long left without saying a word and was gone for so long. You left Xun Er here all alone."

Gu Long smiled and sat on the stone bench opposite her. As if performing a magic trick, he took several steaming, fragrant dishes from the System Space and gently placed them on the stone table.

There were crystal-clear shrimp dumplings, richly braised Beast Meat, and a bowl of sweet fruit soup with a refreshing aroma.

He had prepared them in advance using the [Master Chef Skill] and the high-quality ingredients provided by the system.

"It was my fault. I made you worry." Gu Long handed a pair of jade chopsticks to Xun Er. "Try them. Consider it my apology."

The tempting fragrance drifted into her nose, and Xun Er instinctively swallowed. She secretly glanced at the dishes on the table from the corner of her eye. The indifference she had put on was becoming difficult to maintain.

She loved the food Brother Gu Long made most of all.

"Don't think this is enough to brush me off."

She muttered softly, but her hand honestly accepted the chopsticks. She picked up a shrimp dumpling, carefully blew on it, then put it into her mouth.

The fresh, sweet, springy texture blossomed over her taste buds. She could not help narrowing her eyes, satisfaction appearing on her face as her little temper was immediately thrown to the clouds.

"Is it good?" Gu Long's gaze softened as he watched her childish appearance.

"Mm!"

Xun Er nodded vigorously, then picked up a piece of braised meat. Her cheeks puffed up as she ate, making her look like an adorable little hamster.

Only after seeing Xun Er eating happily did Gu Long finally relax.

Once she had nearly finished eating, he flipped his hand and took out two more things.

They were a square board marked with nineteen horizontal and nineteen vertical lines, as well as two bowls containing smooth, round black and white stones.

"What are these?"

Xun Er blinked curiously, her attention drawn by these novel objects.

"This is called Go."

Gu Long spread the board across the stone table and placed the black and white stones beside each of them.

"It is a strategy game from a distant land. It tests calculation, tactics, and one's grasp of the overall situation."

The [Go Grandmaster Skill] he had obtained from a previous sign-in now came in handy.

He briefly explained the basic rules of Go: how to place stones, how to claim territory, how to capture stones, and what liberties were.

Xun Er seemed to understand only half of it, but her interest had been piqued.

She was already clever by nature. Under Gu Long's patient guidance, she tried placing several stones in a corner of the board.

"Brother Gu Long, is this right?"

"No. This stone has no liberties. I've already surrounded it, so it has to be removed."

"Ah! So that's how it works!"

At first, Xun Er merely found it novel and fun, placing stones entirely by instinct.

Very quickly, Gu Long defeated her completely. A large number of her white stones were captured from the board.

Yet she was not discouraged. Instead, her competitive spirit was aroused.

She began to think seriously, carefully observing where Gu Long placed his stones and what he intended, trying to understand the deeper meaning hidden behind those seemingly simple lines.

Gu Long did not simply crush her at every turn. Like a patient mentor, he offered timely pointers during their games.

He explained some fundamental formations and tactics, such as ladders, net captures, and the principle that corners were gold, sides were silver, and the center was grass.

Xun Er's rate of improvement even surprised Gu Long somewhat.

She could infer much from a single example, and her mind was quick. A little guidance was all she needed.

After several games, although she still lost more than she won, she could occasionally put up a respectable defense and even cause Gu Long a few small problems.

The sun completely sank below the horizon, and bright moonlight spilled over the courtyard.

On the stone table, the board was dotted with black and white stones, their battle in full swing.

Xun Er pinched a white stone between her fingers, her delicate brows slightly furrowed as she focused entirely on examining the board for the key to breaking the deadlock.

Moonlight illuminated her exquisite profile. Those clear, lively eyes of hers, usually so bright and spirited, now shone with concentration and contemplation, revealing a wisdom and composure beyond her years.

Gu Long did not urge her. He waited quietly.

As he watched Xun Er think so earnestly, something stirred faintly in his heart.

The girl before him was not merely the Fiancée he needed to protect. She was also an unpolished jade, possessing limitless potential.

Finally, Xun Er's eyes lit up. With a crisp pa, she placed the white stone at a seemingly inconspicuous position.

With that move, a small group of white stones that had appeared heavily surrounded by black stones suddenly revealed a faint chance of survival. It even threatened the safety of a nearby group of black stones in return.

"Oh?" Gu Long raised his brow slightly, genuine appreciation appearing in his eyes.

This move had broken free from a local entanglement and carried a hint of broader vision.

Rather than immediately responding to dismantle it, he looked at Xun Er and smiled. "It seems our Xun Er has quite the talent for Go."

Receiving Gu Long's praise, Xun Er immediately beamed like a flower. Her earlier displeasure had long since vanished without a trace.

She scrunched her small nose proudly. "Of course! Brother Gu Long, let's play another game!"

"Alright." Gu Long agreed with a smile, casually placing a stone and drawing the game into a new, complex situation.

Under the moonlight, in the courtyard, the silent battle on the board continued, sometimes fierce and sometimes calm.

The girl's crisp stone placements, occasional cries of surprise, and exclamations of admiration intertwined with the young man's steady explanations, forming a tranquil and warm scene.

Ling Ying watched from the shadows, and even his stern face could not help revealing a barely perceptible gentleness.

He could tell that Young Master Gu Long was not merely trying to cheer Miss up. Rather, he was guiding and nurturing her through subtle influence.

Go might seem like a game, but it contained the principles of planning, calculation, and trade-offs.

For Miss Xun Er, who might one day need to lead the Ancient Clan and face far more complicated circumstances, this was more valuable than a high-level Dou Technique.

The night grew deeper, and the game finally ended.

Although Xun Er had still lost in the end, her little face was filled with excitement and lingering enthusiasm.

"Brother Gu Long, this Go is so interesting! I want to learn more tomorrow!"

She tugged on Gu Long's sleeve, her eyes sparkling brightly.

"Alright, as long as you like it." Gu Long rubbed her hair. "But now, it's time to rest."

After sending Xun Er back to her room, Gu Long stood alone in the courtyard, looking at the bright moon in the night sky. His gaze returned to its usual depth and calm.

Good food soothed emotions, while Go awakened the mind.

This was merely a small step in his companionship with Xun Er as she grew.

Jia Nan Academy, Dragon Domain, the Falling Heart Flame, the Soul Clan... there was still a much longer road ahead.

But at least for this moment, as he listened to Xun Er's steady breathing from within her room, the part of his heart that had grown somewhat cold from schemes and planning was infused with a faint warmth by the moonlight in the courtyard and the warmth from earlier.

He returned to his own room, sat cross-legged, and began his daily cultivation and sign-in routine.

A new game, whether on the board or upon this Dou Qi Continent, had only just begun.