Chapter Fifty-Three: The Formless Chess, Part Two

Upon hearing this, Zhong Shiyuan praised, “Such exquisite skill— even spirits would bow in admiration!” Jian Liang, surprised yet filled with reverence, added, “Mr. Qiu’s divine acupuncture is truly the most practical and benevolent art for healing the world!”

Qiu Hailin smiled and replied, “All things are born with their own forms and uses. In the unique case of Mr. Zhong’s affliction, if I were to treat him solely with acupuncture, ten days of effort would not equal the effect of a single game played by the Jian brothers. Healing through chess—using chess to cure chess—is precisely treating the root cause.”

Jian Liang shook his head in wonder. “Mr. Qiu, it’s remarkable that you can conceive of chess as a means to heal.” Qiu Hailin said, “Life is complex and unpredictable, yet all is governed by the principle of change. Just as chess can kill on the board, it can also save. That is the will of the healer.” Both Zhong Shiyuan and Jian Liang listened, deeply impressed.

Thus, under the combined daily treatment of acupuncture and chess therapy by Qiu Hailin and Jian Liang, Zhong Shiyuan miraculously recovered completely after twelve days. The three rejoiced in their success, and Zhong Shiyuan gratefully bowed to both men, expressing profound thanks.

Qiu Hailin said, “Without the transcendent chess of the Jian brothers, though I could have preserved Mr. Zhong’s life, he would have risked permanent disability. His illness stemmed from ‘demonic chess’—a disease neither internal nor external in medical terms, but a pernicious and sinister affliction, which only refined, orthodox chess could counteract.”

Jian Liang laughed, “In that case, when I encounter patients in the future, I shall play a game with them to cure their ailments. Chess shall be my medicine to save lives.”

Qiu Hailin smiled, “Not all patients understand chess, nor do all chess players suffer from it. One must match the treatment to the illness.”

Zhong Shiyuan solemnly said, “If the Jian brothers can one day contain the imperial grandmaster eunuch and nullify his murderous chess techniques, that would be a great deed—saving the world through chess.” Qiu Hailin nodded, “Indeed, the Jian brothers have reached such mastery that they should be able to counter the grandmaster eunuch’s demonic chess. This chess calamity must be resolved upon the board.” Jian Liang replied, “I hope so.”

A day later, Zhong Shiyuan took his leave, once again expressing his heartfelt gratitude to Qiu Hailin and Jian Liang for saving his life. At parting, Zhong wished to gift Jian Liang a resonant chessboard, so that when he faced the grandmaster eunuch Li Ruchuan in battle, the sound of the board’s pieces might help counter the deadly power of the demonic chess, increasing his chances of victory and self-protection. However, Jian Liang declined the generous gift, confident in his own mastery and eager to face Li Ruchuan on equal terms without aid. Understanding this, Zhong Shiyuan bowed deeply to both men before departing.

After seeing Zhong off, Qiu Hailin and Jian Liang returned to the town. At that moment, a brilliantly colored butterfly fluttered from the roadside grass, passing right by Jian Liang. On impulse, Jian Liang reached out to catch it but missed, and the butterfly startled, flying away.

Qiu Hailin laughed, “Do you wish to catch it?” As he spoke, he casually lifted his hand, and the butterfly suddenly pressed against a tree trunk, its colorful wings fluttering but unable to escape. Jian Liang cheered and ran forward to seize it, but paused in surprise—there was a silver needle embedded in the butterfly’s right wing, pinning it to the tree.

Jian Liang exclaimed, “Mr. Qiu, you possess such skill!” He carefully withdrew the silver needle and released the butterfly, then handed the needle to Qiu Hailin with admiration, “Your skill is extraordinary—to shoot such a fine needle so far and so accurately.”

Qiu Hailin smiled, “With long practice, one becomes adept, but this one shot was not purely a matter of strength or precision in the hand.”

Jian Liang was startled. “Not from the hand’s strength? Then how did you shoot the needle?”

Qiu Hailin replied, “It is sent forth by the hand but guided by the mind.”

“Guided by the mind?” Jian Liang asked in amazement. “How does one do that?”

Qiu Hailin explained, “After years of acupuncture, I have merged my intent with the needle. When treating patients, I feel the needle’s sensations; it often has miraculous effects. Occasionally, when sending a needle flying, it goes wherever I wish, hitting its mark with unerring accuracy. In martial arts, there is a branch of hidden weapons relying on hand skill honed through endless practice to strike targets. Flying needles are a form of such weapons but are particularly challenging due to their lightness and slenderness. Very few master them, and my method, guided by intent, differs greatly.” Jian Liang listened, filled with admiration.

Suddenly, Qiu Hailin had a thought. “Jian Liang, your chess has reached a transcendent realm of spirit and intent. You can move pieces by thought alone. Why not try sending one flying with your mind and see how it goes?”

Jian Liang shook his head repeatedly, “No, no, my mental movement of chess only works on the board, not like your flying needles.”

Qiu Hailin said, “Not necessarily. I initially used mind-guided needles only for treatment, but later discovered this flying needle technique by accident. At first, it was clumsy, but with focused practice, the needle developed a skill of its own and can now be used for defense. You, with your deep understanding of chess and exceptional spirit, can surely control objects with your mind. Why not give it a try?”

Intrigued, Jian Liang picked up a small stone the size of a chess piece and tossed it toward a tree trunk, exclaiming, “Take this!” The stone veered off into the grass. He shook his head, “No, I can’t do it. I don’t have your power of mind control.”

Qiu Hailin thought for a moment, then said, “Actually, your mental power is extraordinary, but you don’t know how to harness it. The stone was thrown without true intent—just a casual toss. To summon your ‘true intent,’ you must use a chess piece, because your exceptional mental realm comes from chess, and no other object can substitute.”

Jian Liang suddenly understood, “Of course! When I hold a chess piece, I feel grounded and confident, which strengthens my focus and awakens a spiritual sense. My ‘true intent’ is tied to chess pieces.” He took out a large white marble chess piece.

As Jian Liang prepared to throw it, Qiu Hailin stopped him. “Wait. Concentrate first. Imagine exactly where you want the piece to land and stick. This will make the effect clearer.”

Jian Liang said, “Let’s aim for that tree trunk.”

Qiu Hailin asked, “Do you want the piece to stick to the outside or penetrate inside the trunk?”

“Stick or penetrate?” Jian Liang was astonished. “I don’t have that kind of strength. Just hitting the trunk would be lucky, and the round piece lacks the sharpness of a needle or blade, so it would bounce off.”

Qiu Hailin explained, “When we perform acupuncture chess, we don’t rely on the physical strength perfected by martial artists for hidden weapons, but act with casual intent. Martial artists practicing hidden weapons do hone their hand skills and precision to harm, but in the process, they unknowingly cultivate their ‘true intent’ and confidence, which, over time, yields miraculous power. Few notice this, yet it happens naturally. Take the Han dynasty’s divine archer Li Guang—once at night, hearing a tiger in the mountains, he drew a strong bow and shot a white feathered arrow into a stone crevice, astonishing all. Later, when he saw the arrow lodged, he doubted his own power and could no longer replicate the feat. On that night, the wind and rustling grass misled him into believing he had a tiger in sight. His confidence summoned his ‘true intent,’ enabling the miraculous shot. By day, that power vanished. Now your ‘true intent’ is formed through chess, and your confidence is intact. If you move chess pieces with your mind, you will surely achieve wondrous results. Miracles often arise from the unconscious movement of ‘true intent,’ but now that you consciously move it, your power will be even greater.”

Inspired by Qiu Hailin’s words, Jian Liang gently handled the chess piece and said, “When mind and chess are united, even outside the board the pieces obey.” He raised his hand confidently and commanded, “Go!” The piece shot forth like a silver streak, landing on the tree trunk. Because Jian Liang had willed it to stick, the piece did not bounce off but affixed itself firmly, as if taking root.

Jian Liang’s joy surged. He focused further and pointed: “Fall!” The piece obeyed and dropped to the ground. Qiu Hailin, witnessing this, was amazed and delighted. “I never expected your mental force over chess to be so strong. You succeeded on the first try! Congratulations—your skill beyond chess has become a unique defense technique!”

Jian Liang thanked him gratefully. “Without your guidance, I would never have known I possessed this ability. Many thanks for your instruction.” He bowed deeply. Qiu Hailin helped him up with a smile, “This is your own destiny. Your mastery of chess and extraordinary mind allow you to command chess pieces inside and outside the board. I merely helped you unlock this latent power.”

Jian Liang then sent several more pieces flying effortlessly, his excitement growing. He even tried to penetrate a piece into the trunk—though it did not fully enter, it left a dent. Qiu Hailin observed, “Penetration requires focused intent, precise control of distance and force. It cannot be mastered instantly, but judging by your rapid progress, you could acquire this skill within ten to fifteen days.”

Jian Liang was thrilled. He then practiced with several small stones, but they did not respond and fell into the grass as usual. Qiu Hailin laughed, “Those stones are not your chess pieces, nor are they Li Guang’s arrows. Your mental force is strong only over chess pieces, which alone can unleash your ‘true intent.’ No other objects can substitute.” Jian Liang nodded, “Indeed, only when holding a chess piece do I feel truly confident.”

This tale is first published here.

Your messages—even a simple (*^__^*)—will inspire the author’s creation. Please cheer them on!