The Tianyuan Winning Method at the Start, Yuanshi Calls It Expertly!

Jiang Ping picked up a black stone and pondered briefly. Since he was going to go easy on him, he might as well make it obvious.

He took a black stone and steadily placed it in the center of the board.

Laozi and Tongtian exchanged glances at once.

Yuanshi, meanwhile, was utterly furious, his face flushing red. "Young Master, you are humiliating me!"

Jiang Ping curled his lip. This man really didn't know what was good for him. I'm clearly going easy on you, yet you won't even appreciate it.

Still, this gentleman had a straightforward temper and was quite upright. Clearly, he was unwilling to take advantage of anyone.

Jiang Ping gave an awkward smile. "Why would you say that, sir? I have no intention of humiliating you."

Yuanshi said indignantly, "This opening move is Tianyuan."

"Anyone who dares make this move is either a terribly hopeless chess player or a saint of the chessboard."

"You are certainly not a hopeless player, Young Master, but by playing this way, aren't you saying that you do not consider me worthy of your attention at all?"

"You must understand: by opening with Tianyuan, you have already handed me the advantage of three stones for nothing!"

"Moreover, when masters play, even a disadvantage of half a stone is difficult to overturn!"

Jiang Ping burst out laughing. "So that is what concerns you. A misunderstanding, a misunderstanding. Just take a look!"

Jiang Ping picked up the [One Hundred and Eight Winning Chess Moves] at his side and opened it to the first page. "Sir, look. This page records the Tianyuan Winning Method!"

Yuanshi did not believe it at all. A guaranteed Tianyuan victory existed only between an expert and a novice; once the gap in chess skill was not great, it was absolutely impossible.

"If you do not believe me, sir, we can play a few moves and see what my chess skill is like," Jiang Ping said with a smile.

Yuanshi inwardly scoffed and said blandly, "In that case, I shall respectfully comply. Young Master, your wager is already in my pocket."

Jiang Ping did not care in the slightest when he saw Yuanshi looking so certain of victory. What wager? It was just trash in the corner.

Playing chess to pass the time was what mattered. Winning or losing did not matter.

Wait, I'll just close my eyes and follow the steps in the book. This gentleman can't possibly fail to beat even such a mechanical style of play, can he?

At the side, Laozi regretted it bitterly. Had I known this expert would treat it so childishly, I should have played instead. Though I am inferior to Junior Brother Yuanshi, the difference is only a tiny bit.

Tongtian was even more envious. Though my two Senior Brothers both say I'm a hopeless chess player, I could play this Tianyuan opening too!

Yuanshi was going to win such a precious spiritual treasure for nothing!

Seeing the expressions on his two fellow disciples' faces, Yuanshi felt exceedingly pleased with himself. Who says playing chess is a trivial side path? Today, haven't I won a supreme-grade spiritual treasure?

Yuanshi did not need to think. He swiftly placed a stone.

Jiang Ping smiled faintly. He had long since memorized every step and move order in the chess manual backward and forward over the years. Without a moment's thought, he placed his stone.

Yuanshi froze. This second move was even stranger.

This expert is deliberately going easy on me. Tianyuan at the opening already gave me three stones, yet this second move completely ignores all convention. He ought to be surrounding a point and striking at the reinforcements, but instead he is actually letting things run wild.

Yuanshi was inwardly furious. Though this expert's realm was high, he was far too contemptuous of others.

Tongtian and Laozi deeply regretted it. This was not playing chess at all—this was directly admitting defeat, deliberately going easy, and handing over his head!

A bold thought arose in their minds. Could it be that this expert did not know how to play chess at all?

Yuanshi, however, thought, "Could it be that this expert is deliberately losing to me, taking the opportunity to bestow a fortuitous opportunity upon me?"

He could not help shaking his head with a sigh. The ways of an expert were indeed unfathomably mysterious. Truly admirable.

The two traded moves back and forth, scarcely needing to think at all.

Before long, the board was densely packed with stones.

At first, Yuanshi had been wary that Jiang Ping might have some unexpected ingenious move, but halfway through the game, victory was already firmly in his grasp.

After all, his position balanced offense and defense. Even if there was a slight oversight somewhere, the stones could echo one another from front to back, linking what came before and after, allowing him to respond in time.

By contrast, this expert's position was scattered and fragmented. Every stone fought alone, with no response from the others. Once I lay out three more moves, I will complete the grand encirclement and annihilation.

Even if a chess demon descended upon the board, there would be no way to turn heaven and earth upside down.

Tongtian and Laozi were delighted. Yuanshi's overwhelming victory was already set, and the expert would soon be defeated.

They had their eyes on the treasures in the corner and were eager to try. Next, they had to play a game with this expert. After all, spiritual treasures given away for free would be a waste not to take.

Jiang Ping carefully examined the board. This fellow had just been boasting about how incredible his chess skill was. I've deliberately gone easy on you, yet you've still taken this long.

Never mind that. I'll deliberately lose one game first, then win one. That way, this gentleman will play with me a while longer.

Continuing to place stones according to the manual, Jiang Ping looked at the board and sensed that he was about to lose.

Sure enough, after Yuanshi placed another two stones, Jiang Ping was nearly beyond saving.

Although Jiang Ping had intended to lose one game from the start, now that he was truly about to lose, it still left a sour taste in his heart.

This damned system gave me so many books, and this one even claims to guarantee victory in one hundred and eight games. Yet I'm losing.

Forget it. If I lose this game, I lose it. I'll win the next one back. Jiang Ping continued placing his stones according to the manual's steps.

After Jiang Ping placed his stone, Yuanshi let out a soft breath. This game is secure. I am certain to win.

He picked up a white stone and was about to place it in the position he had calculated long ago.

Suddenly, a sharp gleam flashed through his eyes. His raised hand froze in midair, trembling slightly.

Something seemed wrong.

Yuanshi's expression turned grave, his heart filled with uncertainty.

He swiftly began to retrace and deduce the game. In an instant, it was as if a bolt of lightning had streaked through his mind.

On the board, black and white had originally stood in clear distinction, yet now an aura was slowly gathering.

The entire board vaguely seemed to contain all things beneath heaven, and a strange force of attraction began to restrain the piece in his hand.

Yuanshi was greatly alarmed. With something so bizarre suddenly occurring, he did not dare casually place this move.

"Eh? Why aren't you making your move?" Tongtian asked softly.

Laozi was equally puzzled. "You're about to win already. What's going on?"

"Ahem, don't speak while watching a game." Jiang Ping coughed twice. He was puzzled as well. Yuanshi was clearly on the verge of winning, so why had he not placed his piece, instead seeming as though he had been immobilized?

Cold sweat streamed down Yuanshi's face. He had suffering he could not put into words.

Only by facing this chessboard in person could one understand what sort of situation he was confronting.

At this moment, the chessboard seemed to have turned into an invisible black hole, radiating an immense force that appeared intent on devouring the piece in his hand.

Could it really be this strange?

Yuanshi refused to believe it. He had deduced this move countless times already; placing it here would guarantee victory.

Yuanshi steadied his mind and directly set down the white piece.

As the white piece fell, Yuanshi finally felt relieved. He wiped away his sweat. The strange phenomenon from before had vanished, and he settled down as well.

A smile appeared on his face. Let's see how this expert deals with a game that is certain to lose.

He casually glanced at the board, and Yuanshi's smile instantly froze.

In that instant, all his attention was drawn to the chessboard.

How could this be possible?!

Unbelievable!

Inconceivable!

Yuanshi could barely stop himself from crying out, "Masterful!"