Besides that, every other part of the board had already been filled with stones, and the remaining empty intersections were all dead ground where no more stones could be played.
"Although White had recovered some territory compared to before, it was still far behind Black."
Wei Changkang knew what Zhong Wan was hesitating over. Stroking his beard, he said:
"The next move will be the final stone. Once it falls, there will be no room left for maneuver in this game."
Once this final stone was played and the game ended, if anything dangerous happened, everyone's lives would be at stake. Zhong Wan, who was responsible for choosing where to place it, was undoubtedly under enormous pressure.
So many lives rested entirely on her shoulders. Zhong Wan had never experienced such a thing as a girl before; one could tell from how she had yet to make a decision, and how her slight body beneath that loose Daoist robe was visibly trembling without stop.
But such a situation meant nothing to Ye Tian. After taking in Zhong Wan's appearance, he spoke calmly.
"I know Zhong Wan is under great pressure, but the situation has come to this, and there is no other way. Let me place the final stone."
"You have already played very well in the earlier game, and your contribution cannot be erased. No matter the outcome, do not burden yourself with any pressure. Leave everything from here on to me."
Ye Tian's final sentence was directed at Zhong Wan, and she understood what he meant.
Zhong Wan lowered her head, silently rose, and gave Ye Tian a shallow bow before retreating to the side.
Ye Tian nodded to Wei Changkang, Huang Daohua, and the others. "Then I will place the stone."
Several people bowed to Ye Tian.