Give Me Back My Heroic Hall Master!

"Tap" "Tap" "Tap"...

In the quiet room, only the sound of black and white pieces falling onto the chessboard could be heard. Both players wore serious, even solemn, expressions.

An hour passed like this, and finally, there was nowhere left to contest on the board.

"Hoo..." Cheng Li Hall Master let out a long breath and took a sip of the freshly refilled hot tea from the ceramic cup beside him. Jiang Beiran, on the other hand, took it upon himself to count the pieces.

After clearing all the dead pieces from both sides off the board, Jiang Beiran began to tally.

"Black has a total of one hundred and seventy-seven pieces, White has three points plus three-quarters for komi. Cheng Li Hall Master, you win by forty-one points."

"Hahaha." Cheng Li Hall Master burst into laughter upon hearing this. "How about that? My move, Seventeen-Seventeen, put you in a bind, didn't it?"

"Cheng Li Hall Master's move was indeed brilliant. I thought I could fend off your attack by playing on the Yue Position, but your move, while not saving the large dragon, caught me off guard with the advantage of the extra initiative. Truly brilliant."

"Hahahaha!"

Jiang Beiran's flattery was clearly well-received by Cheng Li Hall Master. He stroked his beard and said, "It's only interesting playing chess with you, kid. You know where you lost, unlike those other idiots."

Jiang Beiran cupped his hands in response. "This student only knows where he lost, but not how to resolve it. I hope Hall Master Cheng can offer some guidance."

"Good, then let's have another game!"

At a quarter past the Chou Hour in the night, by the bright candlelight, Jiang Beiran was still engaged in a late-night battle with Cheng Li Hall Master.

After losing two more games, Jiang Beiran wiped the fine sweat beading on his forehead and said, "Hall Master Cheng's move, 'Encirclement,' is truly infinitely variable and leaves this student in awe. I request Hall Master Cheng grant me a month of seclusion to study it carefully."

The so-called seclusion was essentially a "leave of absence" from the sect. For example, if a disciple felt they were on the verge of a breakthrough that month, they could apply for seclusion to the Hall Master or their mentor in their hall. If approved, they would be exempt from their Iron Order duties and mountain trials for that month. However, this "leave of absence" could only be used once a year, which was a great regret for Jiang Beiran.

Seeing Jiang Beiran's expression of immense admiration, Cheng Li Hall Master's heart bloomed with joy. He immediately nodded in agreement. "Good, I grant this."

"Thank you, Cheng Li Hall Master," Jiang Beiran said happily, bowing.

"Another game?" Cheng Li Hall Master said, patting the chessboard.

"Thank you for the guidance, Hall Master!"

As the saying goes, finding a worthy opponent is one of life's greatest joys. Jiang Beiran and Cheng Li Hall Master thus "battled" through the entire night, feeling no sleepiness even as dawn broke.

"Knock knock knock"

"Liangji, is Beiran with you?"

Just as Cheng Li Hall Master was frowning, contemplating the meaning of Jiang Beiran's move, Seventeen-Fourteen's Small Flying Hang, a sudden knock sounded at the door, followed by a voice both players were very familiar with.

No way... could it be the Hall Master himself? Although Jiang Beiran had anticipated someone would come looking for him today, he hadn't expected it to be the Hall Master himself.

Cheng Liangji, unaware of Jiang Beiran's thoughts, directly replied, "He's currently playing a game with me."

"Then I'm coming in." Zhang Heqing said and pushed the door open.

"Greetings, Hall Master." Seeing Zhang Heqing enter, Jiang Beiran immediately stood up and bowed.

"Mm." Zhang Heqing nodded with a smile, then said, "Beiran, rest for a moment. Come out with me."

Jiang Beiran and Cheng Liangji were stunned upon hearing this, their faces full of surprise. This was because there was an unwritten rule in the Blue Heart Hall: unless it was a matter of life and death, they had to wait for the opponent to finish their game before handling other matters. Yet, the Hall Master had asked them to "pause" as soon as he entered.

"Beiran, did you get into trouble?" After the surprise, Cheng Liangji asked Jiang Beiran. Otherwise, he really couldn't think of why the Hall Master would show him no face at all.

Jiang Beiran quickly shook his head, "Absolutely not. This disciple has always been honest and upright, how could I get into trouble?"

Zhang Heqing chuckled upon hearing this, stepped forward, and patted Jiang Beiran's shoulder. "No need to be nervous. Just follow me."

Seeing Zhang Heqing's gentle smile, Jiang Beiran, who had already guessed why he was there, cupped his hands and said, "Hall Master, yesterday when I was playing against Cheng Li Hall, I had a moment of profound insight. I've already gotten Cheng Li Hall's permission to go into seclusion for a month. If..."

Before Jiang Beiran could finish speaking, Zhang Heqing's voice suddenly echoed in his ear.

"Don't try to fob me off with such excuses. Come with me quickly, or you won't get any more benefits from me in the future."

Jiang Beiran's expression froze. He looked at Zhang Heqing, who was still smiling, his lips not moving.

Secret Sound Transmission!?

At the same time, three options appeared before him.

[Option 1: Still refuse to go. Completion Reward: Vast Sea Curse (Mysterious Grade High Rank)]

[Option 2: Ask Cheng Liangji to intercede. Completion Reward: Seven Steps Skill (Profound Grade Low Rank)]

[Option 3: Agree to the Hall Master. Reward: Random Basic Skill Points +1]

It's over... It seems the Hall Master is serious this time.

Realizing the Hall Master's attitude was very firm this time, Jiang Beiran immediately chose option three and turned to Cheng Liangji, "Cheng Li Hall, I'll go out with the Hall Master first."

"Mm, go, and come back quickly."

Seeing Jiang Beiran agree, Zhang Heqing immediately smiled, "We'll be right back, very quickly."

Sighing inwardly, Jiang Beiran followed Zhang Heqing out of the room.

They walked all the way to the Floating Plum Pavilion, a place specifically for receiving guests. Zhang Heqing, who hadn't said a word on the way, clasped his hands and walked in, smiling, "Protector Yu, I've brought the person you wanted."

Yu Manwen, standing in the center of the hall, smiled slightly upon hearing this and returned the bow to Zhang Heqing. "Thank you for your trouble, Hall Master Zhang."

"Ah! It's no trouble at all, Protector Yu is too kind." He then solicitously moved a chair over to Yu Manwen and said, "Why is Protector Yu standing? If this gets out, people will laugh at me, Zhang Heqing, for not knowing how to entertain guests. Please sit, please sit."

Seeing Zhang Heqing's fawning smile, Jiang Beiran's composure completely collapsed.

'Damn! Where did the elegant and heroic Star Luo Sword – Zhang Heqing, Hall Master Zhang, that I imagined go!?'

As Yu Manwen sat down, Zhang Heqing looked at Me Man, who was still standing by the door, and shouted, "We have a distinguished guest, why aren't you even brewing some tea?"

Just as Me Man was about to speak, Yu Manwen said first, "Hall Master Zhang, there's no need to blame him. I told him not to."

"How can that be? We still need to drink tea. I recently bought some Emerald Snail tea. It's fragrant and delicious, you absolutely must try some." After speaking, he looked at Me Man, who was still standing in place, and shouted, "What are you still spacing out for? Go brew it quickly."

"Oh, okay! Yes!" Me Man quickly ran out after speaking.

"Thank you for your trouble, Hall Master Zhang," Yu Manwen nodded slightly towards Zhang Heqing.

"Protector Yu rarely visits my Blue Heart Hall, so of course, I must entertain you well." After speaking, Zhang Heqing beckoned to Jiang Beiran and shouted, "Why aren't you coming over to pay your respects? What are you standing there for?"

Seeing Zhang Heqing move a chair next to Yu Manwen as he spoke, Jiang Beiran sighed heavily in his heart.

'Hall Master, you won't be able to pick up girls like this!!!'