Tang Sect

At Shrek's Sea God Pavilion, the windows of the side hall were half-open. Lake wind poured in from outside, leaving the three of them wide awake.

Yun Ming sat opposite Zhuo Shi, holding a chess piece between his fingers as his thumb rubbed back and forth along its edge. Feng Wuyu stood behind him, both hands pressed on his shoulders, leaning forward with his gaze fixed on the board like an eagle eyeing its prey.

"Clack." A translucent jade-like piece landed on the chessboard with a crisp sound.

Yun Ming captured one of Zhuo Shi's pieces, lifted it from the board, and placed it on the corner of the table outside the board. His movements were gentle, but the instant that position was vacated, Zhuo Shi's brow furrowed.

"Pavilion Master, have you come today to tell us something important?" Zhuo Shi's hand paused at the edge of the board without reaching for his next piece.

Feng Wuyu pressed down on Yun Ming's shoulders with a little more force. "That's right, Pavilion Master. Please tell us already. We'll certainly give it everything we have." His words were sincere, but his eyes remained fixed on the gap left by that captured piece.

He really was anxious—he was about to win this game, and he wanted to send Yun Ming away so he could take over such a favorable board.

"Enough, enough, are you trying to strangle me..." Yun Ming shrank his neck. Feng Wuyu hurriedly let go and stepped back.

Yun Ming rested his left hand on Feng Wuyu's shoulder and reached his right hand toward the board, directing him to make random moves. Feng Wuyu followed his lead and placed two pieces, only realizing afterward that both moves had led him into a trap. Yun Ming turned to glance at him,