"Dad, that thing is your treasure," Jiang Hongyi exclaimed in disbelief.
The old man lived his life cherishing his reputation and collecting antiques.
But his actual introduction to antiques was through this rhinoceros horn gu.
From the time he could remember, the old man had guarded this item as if it were his own life.
It was even said that before he was born, during the period of smashing the Four Olds, he almost got shot for hiding this gu.
This demonstrated how important this item was to the Jiang family.
Even he, his own son, had never been allowed to touch it.
Now it was to be passed to his granddaughter's husband.
Was this still the same snobbish and pragmatic old man?
"What's wrong with a treasure?" Grandpa Jiang's face stiffened as he reprimanded, "Yuxin is also my precious granddaughter."
"I've also seen the capabilities of the son-in-law she chose."
"He is worthy of this gu!"
He said this intentionally.
He wanted Li Chonglou to know how much he valued Jiang Yuxin.
The past was over; the future was what mattered most.
Only Jiang Yuxin could lead the Jiang family to grow and prosper, allowing him to die without regret.
No one else could.
Could he rely on the kind-hearted but weak Jiang Hongyi? Or on Jiang Hongwei, who had been transferred to another place and was full of cunning?
Not to mention his grandson, Jiang Tao, who was locked up in prison and whose release date was uncertain.
He wasn't truly giving it away; he had no choice!
The old man's intentions could be hidden from others, even from his own son.
But they couldn't be hidden from Li Chonglou.
Seeing his feigned sincerity, Li Chonglou didn't expose him or say anything.
He waited for the old man to continue.
As expected, seeing this, the old man took Li Chonglou's hand and solemnly placed the gu into it. "Grandpa has disappointed you these past few years."
"Today is Yuxin's birthday, and this gu is my birthday gift to her."
"To prevent the family from gossiping, I'll have you, my grandson-in-law, help me with this."
"Li Chonglou, let's put our grandfather-grandson matters behind us, shall we?"
Li Chonglou remained silent, merely offering a faint smile.
Jiang Hongyi, however, became anxious. "Chonglou, the old man has taken this stance, why don't you say something to reassure him?"
"Don't worry, Grandpa. As long as the Jiang family belongs to Yuxin, nothing has happened between us," Li Chonglou said with a faint smile, giving face to his father-in-law. "I'll give it to her later. Rest assured."
He was making a statement to the old man: don't even think about replacing Jiang Yuxin.
From now on, Jiang family would be hers to command.
Otherwise, past grudges and debts would be settled together.
Don't think that a rhinoceros horn gu could buy him off.
Grandpa Jiang showed a look of satisfaction upon hearing this.
With the major issue resolved, the three men from three generations couldn't just sit and chat.
The old man brought out a Hainan huanghuali go board and two small leaf zitan go boxes, asking, "Which one of you will play?"
"Dad, spare me. You've beaten me countless times since I was little," Jiang Hongyi shook his head like a rattle drum, his face filled with lingering fear.
He took out a book from the bookshelf and began to read.
"Chonglou, do you know how to play?" the old man asked, not giving up.
"A little," Li Chonglou nodded.
Many said that Go required important calculation, but Li Chonglou actually used it to calm his mind.
In his previous life, his thoughts were chaotic, and his heart was filled with negativity.
Antiques were his work, and there were always times to rest. Go perfectly filled that gap.
He hadn't studied it in any profound way; he only played against himself, and he didn't even find a decent opponent.
It was purely a tool for his interest.
Saying he knew a little wasn't out of modesty.
"Come, come, play a game with me," the old man's eyes lit up, his interest piqued. "If you can win, you can name any condition!"
"If you lose, there will be no punishment."
"Play with all your might."
The old man exuded confidence as he spoke.
Although his Go skill was not professional, he was definitely a top-tier player among amateurs.
In his youth, he had often shown off his prowess.
Li Chonglou didn't stand on ceremony, took the black go box, picked out a stone, held it between his middle and index fingers, and with an open palm, placed it directly on the Tengen position in the center.
"You really are a novice," the old man said, shaking his head helplessly upon seeing this.
The entire Go board was like a pyramid, with Tengen being the apex, the star point in the very center.
The first move placed here was either by an extremely arrogant master or a complete novice who knew nothing.
Clearly, Li Chonglou was the latter.
Since that was the case, he didn't need to be so serious.
After more than ten moves, Li Chonglou's stones were scattered haphazardly, one here and one there.
His defeat was evident; he was utterly routed.
He didn't even have a semblance of formation.
Jiang Hongyi, having grown tired of reading, walked over to the two of them and shook his head.
His son-in-law's Go playing was truly terrible.
It was completely without method; calling him a bad player was an understatement.
Since returning to Qin Province, he had heard much about Li Chonglou from his wife and daughter. Naturally, their perspectives varied, leading to different evaluations.
Afterward, he had specifically asked several Jiang family members about the situation.
Upon learning of Li Chonglou's various actions, he secretly marveled that this son-in-law, who had been unassuming, had made a sudden comeback and reversed the situation, displaying the bearing of a great general.
However, seeing his Go skill, he now doubted his own judgment.
Was he overestimating Li Chonglou?
"Kid, just concede defeat quickly and let's start another game!" the old man was having great fun. After all, it was already difficult to find someone he could crush.
Even his own son wouldn't play with him, so why bother with Li Chonglou's Go skill?
"Not necessarily," Li Chonglou said with a faint smile. "Grandpa, take a closer look."
"Xiao Fei!"
Li Chonglou held a Go stone and placed it at a crucial point of Grandpa Jiang's white stones, where his liberties were concentrated.
In an instant, the expressions of Jiang Hongyi and his son froze.
First, they were stunned, then they frowned, and finally, they showed disbelief.
As they looked, Li Chonglou's scattered stones, through this "Xiao Fei" move, had connected into a single chain.
With this connection, the previously routed formation seemed to come alive.
It instantly gathered together.
"This... this is impossible! What kind of move is this?" Grandpa Jiang's eyes widened, and his voice trembled.
He loved to study ancient Go manuals in his spare time, and he was familiar with all sorts of moves, yet he couldn't discern any clue from Li Chonglou's play.
As they were playing, the situation suddenly began to reverse.
With his eyesight, he could now see that Li Chonglou could defeat him within five moves.
And he could only stare blankly, unable to do anything.
This...
It was illogical!
Even a professional Go player couldn't achieve this!
"Chonglou, did you just play randomly, or was this a premeditated strategy?" Jiang Hongyi asked with a solemn expression.
"Dad, I'm not good at strategizing," Li Chonglou replied unhurriedly. "So-called strategies are merely human calculations, far inferior to heavenly providence."
"There is always a great hand arranging things in this world."
"Just play where you want to play, follow your heart, and you'll receive the most accurate guidance."
"With my Go skill, if I had planned ahead, how could Grandpa have not seen it?"
Hiss...
These words caused both Jiang Hongyi and his son to gasp.
Especially Grandpa Jiang, his gaze was hazy.
The Great Dao is formless; he had studied it his whole life.
Yet, in his old age, he was severely taught a lesson by a young man.
This wasn't playing against a person; it was playing against the heavens!