Tap. Tap. Tap...
In the quiet room, the only sound was the black and white pieces landing on the board. Both players wore grave expressions, even somewhat solemn.
An hour passed like this, and at last there was no more ground left to contest on the board.
"Whew..." Cheng Li Hall let out a long breath, picked up the ceramic cup at his side, and took a sip of the freshly refilled hot tea. Jiang Beiran, meanwhile, conscientiously took charge of counting the pieces.
After clearing all the dead stones from the board, Jiang Beiran began rounding off the count.
"Black has a total of one hundred and seventy-seven stones. White receives a komi of three and four-three stones. Cheng Li Hall, you won by four-one stones."
"Hahaha." Cheng Li Hall burst into laughter. "Well? My Seventeen-Seventeen move left you propped up so tightly you could barely exert any strength, didn't it?"
"Cheng Li Hall, that move was indeed formidable. I had thought placing a stone at the Yue Position would hold back your attack, but although your move did not save the great dragon, you caught me completely off guard by exploiting the extra initiative. Truly impressive."
"Hahahaha!"
Jiang Beiran's flattery was clearly quite pleasing to Cheng Li Hall. Stroking his beard, he said, "Playing Go with you, boy, is still the most interesting. You know where you lost, unlike those other idiots."
Jiang Beiran cupped his hands and replied, "This student only knows where he lost, but not how to solve it. I hope Cheng Li Hall can offer me some guidance."
"Good, then let us play another game!"
At the third quarter of the Chou Hour, under the bright candlelight, Jiang Beiran was still fighting through the night with Cheng Li Hall.
After losing another two stones, Jiang Beiran wiped the fine sweat seeping from his forehead and said, "Cheng Li Hall's 'inlay' move truly contains endless transformations. This student is filled with admiration. I ask Cheng Li Hall to permit me to enter seclusion for one month to study it in detail."
So-called seclusion was actually equivalent to asking the sect for leave. For instance, if a disciple felt that he was about to break through that month, he could apply to the resident instructor or professional teacher of his hall to enter seclusion. If approved, he would not need to fulfill his Iron Decree duties that month, nor would he need to descend the mountain for trials. However, this opportunity to "take leave" could only be used once a year, which Jiang Beiran found rather regrettable.
Seeing Jiang Beiran's incomparably worshipful expression, Cheng Li Hall's heart blossomed with joy. He immediately nodded and agreed. "Good. I approve this matter."
"Many thanks, Cheng Li Hall." Jiang Beiran happily cupped his hands in salute.
"Another game?" Cheng Li Hall asked, stroking the board.
"Thank you, Cheng Li Hall, for your instruction!"
As the saying went, meeting a worthy opponent at the board was one of life's great joys. Jiang Beiran and Cheng Li Hall thus "battled fiercely" through the entire night, and even at dawn, neither felt the slightest hint of sleepiness.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Liangji, is Beiran with you?"
Just as Cheng Li Hall furrowed his brow, pondering the meaning behind Jiang Beiran's Seventeen-Fourteen Small Flying Hang, a knock suddenly sounded at the door, followed by a voice both players knew very well.
No way... the Hall Master came personally? Although Jiang Beiran had expected someone to come looking for him today, he had not expected the Hall Master himself to arrive.
Cheng Liangji naturally had no idea what Jiang Beiran was thinking and answered directly, "He is playing Go with me."
"Then I'm coming in." Zhang Heqing pushed open the door as soon as he finished speaking.
"Greetings, Hall Master." Seeing Zhang Heqing enter, Jiang Beiran immediately rose and bowed.
"Mhm." Zhang Heqing nodded with a smile, then said, "Beiran, rest for a moment first. Come outside with me."
Jiang Beiran and Cheng Liangji were both stunned, their faces full of surprise. Blue Heart Hall had an unwritten rule: unless it was a matter of life and death, one had to wait until the other party had finished the game before dealing with it. Yet this time, the Hall Master wanted them to "pause" as soon as he entered.
"Beiran, did you get into trouble?" Once the surprise passed, Cheng Liangji looked at Jiang Beiran and asked. Otherwise, he truly could not imagine why the Hall Master would refuse to give even him any face.
Jiang Beiran hurriedly shook his head. "Absolutely not. This disciple has always been honest and well-behaved. How could I have gotten into trouble?"
"Haha." Zhang Heqing laughed, stepped forward, and patted Jiang Beiran on the shoulder. "No need to be nervous. Just come with me."
Seeing Zhang Heqing's gentle smile, Jiang Beiran, who had already guessed why he had come, cupped his hands and said, "Hall Master, yesterday, while playing Go with Cheng Li Hall, I grasped something exquisite. Cheng Li Hall has already permitted me to enter seclusion for one month, so if..."
Before Jiang Beiran could finish, Zhang Heqing's voice suddenly rang in his ears.
"Stop using those excuses to brush me off. Come with me at once, or don't even think about getting any benefits from me again."
Jiang Beiran froze and looked at Zhang Heqing, who still wore the same smile before him, his lips not moving in the slightest.
Secret Sound Transmission!?
At the same time, three options appeared before his eyes.
[Option One: Continue refusing to go. Completion Reward: *Vast Sea Curse* (Mysterious Grade High Rank)] [Option Two: Ask Cheng Liangji to plead on his behalf. Completion Reward: *Seven Steps Skill* (Profound Grade Low Rank)] [Option Three: Agree to the Hall Master. Reward: Random Basic Skill Points +1]
Damn it... looks like the Hall Master is serious this time.
Realizing that the Hall Master's attitude was exceedingly firm this time, Jiang Beiran immediately chose the third option and turned to Cheng Liangji. "Cheng Li Hall, then I will accompany the Hall Master out first."
"Mhm, go on. Come back quickly."
Seeing Jiang Beiran agree, Zhang Heqing immediately smiled. "We'll be back in no time. Very soon."
Sighing heavily in his heart, Jiang Beiran followed Zhang Heqing out of the room.
They made their way to the Floating Plum Pavilion, the place specially meant for receiving guests. Zhang Heqing, who had not spoken a word along the way, immediately entered with his hands clasped and said with a smile, "Protector Yu, I have brought you the person you wanted."
Yu Manwen, standing in the center of the hall, smiled faintly upon hearing this and returned Zhang Heqing's salute. "Thank you for the trouble, Hall Master Zhang."
"Ah! What trouble is that? Protector Yu, you are too kind." After saying this, he eagerly moved a chair over for Yu Manwen. "Protector Yu, why are you standing? If word got out, people would laugh at me, Zhang Heqing, for not knowing how to receive guests. Please sit, please sit."
Seeing the fawning smile on Zhang Heqing's face, Jiang Beiran's state of mind collapsed.
Damn! Where did the elegant and dashing Star Luo Sword—Hall Master Zhang Heqing—of my heart go!?
Once Yu Manwen sat down, Zhang Heqing looked at Mo Man, who was standing by the doorway, and called out, "A distinguished guest has come to our door, and you have not even brewed a cup of tea?"
Just as Mo Man was about to speak, Yu Manwen spoke first. "Hall Master Zhang need not blame him. I was the one who told him not to go."
"How can that do? Tea must still be served. I bought some Emerald Snail not long ago. It is fragrant and refreshing to drink; you must give it a taste." He then looked at Mo Man, who was still standing there in a daze, and shouted, "What are you still standing around for? Go brew it!"
"Oh, oh, yes!" Mo Man hurriedly ran out after replying.
"I have troubled Hall Master Zhang." Yu Manwen nodded slightly to Zhang Heqing.
"Protector Yu rarely visits my Blue Heart Hall, so naturally I must entertain you properly." After saying this, Zhang Heqing beckoned Jiang Beiran over and called, "Why are you still standing there? Come over and pay your respects!"
Watching Zhang Heqing speak while moving a chair to sit beside Yu Manwen, Jiang Beiran let out a heavy sigh in his heart.
Hall Master, you will never win a girl over like this!!!
Before you continue