After Jing Jiu left, Tong Yan left as well.
The Plum Gathering's Chess Battle had only just begun, so naturally it could not end there.
The winner of the Chess Battle would receive the Zen Child's crown anointment alongside the winners of the other four events. Besides, it was an immense honor in itself.
But for understandable reasons, both the true masters of the Way of Go and the mere enthusiasts felt rather dispirited and could muster little enthusiasm.
"I'm leaving too." He Zhan fastened his wine flask to his waist and told Se Se, "When I get the chance, I'll visit you at the Hanging Bell Sect. I'll take you next door to the Great Marsh to catch fish. Their fish heads are especially fragrant when stewed, better than grilled fish."
Se Se paid no attention at all to the latter half of this and asked in surprise, "You're not playing anymore?"
"That's right." He Zhan fell silent for a while, then said, "I won't play ever again."
At these words, many shocked, puzzled gazes fell upon him.
With Jing Jiu and Tong Yan already gone, He Zhan was naturally the overwhelming favorite in the Plum Gathering's Chess Battle.
Even if that earlier game had shaken him too deeply, or he wished to show a gentleman's grace by refusing to take advantage, why say he would never play again?
It was unclear whether He Zhan's next words were an answer to Se Se or addressed to everyone on Chessboard Mountain.
"Even if I played for another lifetime, I could never beat those two. I couldn't even brush the hems of their robes. Why keep playing?"
Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue parted at New Street Crossing again, just as they had the previous days. Everything was so ordinary,