350: Chapter 350: Every Step for Loss, One Step to Win 350: Chapter 350: Every Step for Loss, One Step to Win Tangyu also felt he was sick, that is if being handsome and talented were a sickness.
He believed he was so far gone, incurable.
After passing through multiple security checkpoints, Tangyu finally stopped with Fang Yishui in front of a villa in the Military Region Compound.
Living in the Military Region Compound indicated that the Fang Family held considerable power in the military; Tangyu had long seen a certain military pride in Fang Yishui, especially after meeting her grandfather.
Tangyu was even more convinced that the old man must have been a fierce general in his youth, often charging into battle.
It was indeed Tangyu’s first time entering the Military Region Compound, and seeing armed soldiers at the checkpoints gave him a strangely unsettling feeling.
He even wondered if the old Mr.
Fang decided to end him there, whether he would manage to get out alive.
Thinking this, Tangyu couldn’t help but glance at Fang Yishui.
He had seen how much her grandfather doted on her, which meant he absolutely couldn’t afford to offend his apprentice in the future.
Fang Yishui seemed to read Tangyu’s mind and turned her head, smiling at him, “What’s wrong, Master?
Feeling a bit nervous?”
“Why would I be nervous?
It’s just the Military Region Compound,” Tangyu said.
“Hehe, don’t be nervous.
My grandpa likes you, so he won’t do anything to you.
Of course, it would be different if you bullied me,” Fang Yishui said with a hint of pride.
“I’m really not nervous,” Tangyu got somewhat angry.
How could a grown man like him feel intimidated?
It’s just a place with more guns and people.
What’s there to be nervous about?
Tangyu knew that Fang Yishui was indirectly flexing her muscles at him, a warning not to bully her in the future.
Feeling challenged by his apprentice left Tangyu quite displeased, and he was tempted to enforce some sort of discipline.
But it seemed there were no such rules, and he mulled over setting some just for Fang Yishui, like administering a spanking if she didn’t listen to her master’s word or upset him.
“Come on, Master.
My grandpa is waiting for you inside,” Fang Yishui said.
The yard was filled with flowers and plants, and a few birds were kept, showing that old Mr.
Fang must have a pleasant leisure life.
Inside the living room, two elderly men sat facing each other across a small table.
Both were dressed simply, with graying hair, but even just their silhouettes gave off a noble and upright aura.
It was like standing at the base of Mount Tai and looking up in admiration.
The two men were focused on a game of Go, and the board was already filled with pieces, signaling they were at the critical moment that would decide the winner.
Fang Yishui gestured to Tangyu to be silent, and they both quietly approached the elderly players, watching intently.
Fang Yishui was also a Go enthusiast.
She watched with furrowed brows, deep in thought.
Tangyu first checked out the elder facing Mr.
Fang.
This man seemed much older, probably almost ninety, but surprisingly his vitality matched Mr.
Fang’s as if he were only in his sixties or seventies.
His focused gaze was also very sharp, like swords not yet dulled by age.
From this man, Tangyu felt a certain pressure and couldn’t help but admire him.
This feeling was strange, and Tangyu couldn’t quite put his finger on why.
It was like love at first sight between a man and a woman.
With just one glance at the old man, Tangyu felt the urge to bow in respect.
If Mr.
Fang was Mount Tai, then this man was Mount Everest.
The difference in their stature was clear to Tangyu.
This led him to speculate that Mr.
Fang’s rank must be very high, and he was probably a retired high-ranking officer.
But what about this elder?
Could he be the retired chief of a military region?
Huaxia Country had a total of eight major military regions, centered on Capital City and Donglin City.
Tangyu returned his attention to the board, where the two elders hadn’t spared a glance for Tangyu and Fang Yishui’s arrival.
Observing the board, Tangyu’s brows furrowed in surprise, and he inwardly marveled, “What impressive play.
It’s worthy of being recorded in famous game collections.
Ah, it’s remarkable.
Both the white and black pieces are locked in a tiger-dragon battle, creating a deadlock.
Thus, neither of the two elders dares to move carelessly, as one wrong step could lead to total defeat.”
Mr.
Fang, holding the white pieces, hesitated several times to make a move but retracted his hand, his brow furrowed and his gaze flickering.
Sometimes, he shook his head.
The other elder, however, was the picture of serenity, calm as a still pond, not hurrying Mr.
Fang to place his piece.
“Each move leads to loss, one move to win.
What a good game, truly impressive,” Tangyu couldn’t help but admire.
The elder sensed Tangyu and turned his gentle gaze toward him.
Though there was no deliberate oppression in his eyes, Tangyu felt as though he’d been seen through.
This was surprising for him, as even when facing his mentor, the Ghost Doctor, he’d never felt this way.
It was a first.
Tangyu’s curiosity about this man increased.
Who was this bigwig?
In the Military Region Compound, indeed, no one was easy to provoke.
“Ah, old General, I’ve lost again,” Mr.
Fang shook his head, his voice full of respect.
“It’s not over until it’s over.
How can you speak of defeat?” the one addressed as old General replied, his voice not loud but full of inner strength and deep resonance.
“With every step leading to loss, no amount of stalling will change the few moves left.
Better to concede early,” Mr.
Fang shook his head again.
“Not necessarily so,” Tangyu couldn’t help but interject.
Only then did Mr.
Fang turn to see Tangyu and Fang Yishui.
Hearing Tangyu’s interruption, Fang Yishui give him a sharp look.
She knew her grandfather disliked being disturbed while playing chess.
Mr.
Fang just glanced and didn’t get angry, quickly smiling kindly, “You’re here.
Do you also play Go, young Tang?”
Tangyu nodded, “A little bit.
I learned some from my teacher.”
“Oh?
Then tell me, why do you think not necessarily?
Do you see a way to turn this game around?” Mr.
Fang asked.
“Yes.” Tangyu replied directly without hesitation.
“Oh.” A few shades of surprise appeared on Fang Lao’s face again.
He considered himself a Go expert and had thought long and hard without finding a solution.
Could it be that this young man in his twenties had achieved such a profound level in Go?
Go isn’t like other things; it requires the refinement of years to play well.
How good can a young person’s Go skills really be?
The old general also looked at Tangyu with a fond expression, and even Fang Yishui was looking at him in surprise.
Fang Lao looked towards the old general, who said with a smile, “Young man, why don’t you give it a try?”
“Alright, then I will make my move, with your permission.” Tangyu said, nodding.
After speaking, he picked up a white stone and decisively placed it on the board.
As Tangyu placed this piece, Fang Lao’s eyebrows furrowed tightly, “This is a path to certain death, an absolute losing move.”
“Master, you’ve gone mad, this move is all over the place.” Fang Yishui also said.
She had held a little bit of hope, but didn’t expect that Tangyu would make a move that even she wouldn’t consider—a certain losing move, and one that was suicidal at that.
What could have been a dragged-out fight losing five or six stones, or even seven or eight, was now doomed by this one move that killed himself in an instant.
The old general watched the board, his expression gradually becoming more solemn.
“Break through to establish a new position, sacrificing a thousand of your own to take out eight hundred of the enemy’s, and then take the opportunity to break the encirclement, to launch a counterattack in one fell swoop.
It seemed like he drove himself into a dead-end, but in fact, it was the only chance for survival.
Indeed, it is a stunning move.
This stroke actually foresaw ten moves ahead, mobilizing every piece on the board, creating a butterfly effect.
Brilliant, truly, heroes emerge from the youth.
Hahaha, young man, what’s your name?” The old general suddenly nodded in continuous approval.
“This—haha, it’s my oversight, truly as one grows older one may become more bewildered.
To think that I’ve always stuck to the rules and failed to see such an extraordinary tactic, yet I did not realize the effect it could have.
Indeed, it is utterly brilliant.” After the old general pointed it out, Fang Lao suddenly had an epiphany, and he laughed and praised Tangyu.
Fang Yishui was startled, equally amazed as she watched Tangyu.
It was one thing for Grandpa to praise Tangyu, but for Grandfather Zhang to commend him as well was an incredible honor.
And what left Fang Yishui somewhat incredulous was just how formidable Tangyu’s Go skills were—as a young man, his prowess was virtually unheard of.
“Hehe, Grandfather Fang, old general, you praise me too highly.
My name is Tangyu.” Tangyu said modestly, but inside he was delighted.
His master often used to pull him into games of Go.
After two years of losing, he started winning more often than not.
Go had always just been a little game for entertaining his master, and he never took it to heart, yet he did not expect to receive such high praise from the two elders.
His words were indeed gratifying to Tangyu.
“There’s no need for modesty.
To have such a high level of Go skill at a young age, I have never heard of such a thing.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call you a Go prodigy.
I wonder, under whose instruction have you studied?” The old general nodded and his face showed a hint of satisfaction.
“My master is not a Go player.
Go is just our after-dinner entertainment.” Tangyu said with a smile.
“Hmm, since you’re reluctant to say, I won’t press you.” The old general said.
Tangyu didn’t elaborate further.
Fang Lao stood up, took hold of Tangyu and laughed heartily, “Come, young Tang, come and play a game with the old general.
His Go skills are unrivaled in the military, unbeatable.
I lose eight out of every ten games I play with him.”
“That might not be appropriate,” Tangyu said, somewhat troubled.
After all, he was a guest and a junior.
If he won, how embarrassing would that be?
“Haha, don’t worry about it, Tang.
I’ve gotten a bit enthusiastic about seeing you play.
Come keep this old man company for a game.
If you win, I won’t blame you; I’ll even praise you,” the old general said.
Fang Yishui also nudged Tangyu, saying, “Grandfather Zhang rarely praises anyone.
Even I haven’t received a few words of praise from him.
Don’t miss out on a good fortune right in front of you.
Since Grandfather Zhang is in such a mood, you should keep him company for a game.” Her words were tinged with envy.
“Alright then,” Tangyu finally agreed, nodding.
“Young Tang, show what you’ve got, and don’t hold back in front of this old man.” Zhang, the old general, said.
“Hehe, alright, I’ll do my best,” Tangyu said with a smile.