He said it without even looking at his nephew, as though he were speaking only to himself.
"I was young and full of fire back then, at my peak in both body and spirit. That year was my best chance, and yet..."
He shook his head and sighed.
"...I lost by a single move. Just one move... If I'd tried a little harder, everything might have been different. It became a demon in my heart, one that still haunts me. No matter what I do, I can't advance any further..."
Then Chen Shuo abruptly changed tack.
"But when it comes down to it, the main reason is you."
Chen Boyuan was plainly confused.
"Uh... me?"
Chen Shuo nodded.
"That's right. The regret of that defeat has tormented me for decades and given me no peace, day or night. Whatever happens, I won't let you suffer the same ordeal."
"That's why I must place in this Tianyuan Conference."
By then, Chen Boyuan understood the care behind his uncle's words. He lowered his head and said no more.
Chen Shuo kept gazing at the ceiling and waved his nephew out.
An unknown length of time passed.
Then, in the vast, silent hall, a sultry voice suddenly spoke.
"You're just letting him leave?"
Chen Shuo did not even turn his head. He answered softly.
"What would you have me do? Make him stay here?"
He sounded thoroughly familiar with the woman, with none of the authority he showed in public.
"I thought you'd give him a lecture. He's so young, and he still has all that unrealistic, naive kindness..."
Chen Shuo replied offhandedly.
"He'll grow out of it. When I was his age, I was even more naive than that boy..."
"Oh? Could you tell me more?" But Chen Shuo shook his head.