Chapter Fifty-Eight: The Chess Deity, Part Two

Zhu Weiyuan continued, “The letters from Master Jian and Master Guohuan regarding the way of chess and chivalry are truly admirable! When I return to the main hall of the Alliance, I will ask the chief to mobilize the entire network across the world to find that eunuch. As long as the Grandmaster Eunuch still lives in this world, we will surely find him.”

Jian Liang smiled with delight and said, “The Alliance is the foremost power in the martial world. If they can assist, the task will be accomplished with half the effort. Thank you very much, Chief Zhu.”

Zhu Weiyuan replied, “There’s no need for formalities, Master Jian. Our Right Envoy, Mr. Sun Qi, has already assigned people to handle this matter. I will return and urge them further. We must treat this as an urgent priority to help Master Guohuan resolve this matter swiftly.”

Zhu Weiyuan then praised, “In today’s chess world, to have two immortal figures like Master Jian and Master Guohuan is truly a blessing of fate! I regret not entering this path myself. Although I understand some of the moves, it is but superficial knowledge.”

Jian Liang responded, “Chief Zhu, if you meet Brother Fang Guohuan, please tell him that I am setting up a game at Yellow Crane Tower and ask him to come quickly. If we can lure the Grandmaster Eunuch there, the two of us can join forces against him. Furthermore, once the Alliance discovers the eunuch’s whereabouts, they can guide him to Yellow Crane Tower.”

Zhu Weiyuan sighed, “It is hard to imagine what kind of fierce battle will unfold on the chessboard. The way of heaven is cyclical; good is rewarded and evil punished. I believe Master Jian and Master Guohuan will counter the eunuch on the board and restore the elegance of chess.”

Zhu Weiyuan then added, “I came to Snake Mountain at the invitation but never expected things to develop this way. Since matters have come to this, tomorrow I will take my leave from the two of you.” Jian Liang said, “Master Min’s accident was unexpected. Chief Zhu has done all he could; do not blame yourself.”

Zhu Weiyuan sighed, “What’s done is done. No need to dwell on it. In the future, when Master Jian sets the game at Yellow Crane Tower, be cautious. Though you have special defensive skills in chess, human hearts are unpredictable. Do not trust others blindly.”

Jian Liang gratefully said, “Thank you for your concern, Chief Zhu. Life is like a game of chess; we must do our best to navigate it.”

Zhu Weiyuan smiled upon hearing this, and the two conversed until midnight before resting.

Early the next morning, Zhu Weiyuan led his men to take their leave. Jian Liang and Min Fengshan saw them off outside Lotus Pavilion. Zhu Weiyuan humbly said to Min Fengshan, “I feel deeply regretful for Master Min’s misfortune. I will come to visit again when the opportunity arises.”

Min Fengshan replied, “Chief Zhu has done all he could. It’s only my brother who brought this upon himself. Without the great help from you and Master Jian, who knows how much worse it would have been. Now that it has come to this, there’s nothing more we can do.”

Zhu Weiyuan bowed and took his leave with his men.

After seeing Zhu Weiyuan and the Alliance members off, Min Fengshan said to Jian Liang, “Master Jian, focus on your important matters.”

Jian Liang replied, “My brother just had an accident. Master Min should be at home caring for him. I can handle things at Yellow Crane Tower alone.”

Min Fengshan said, “I’ve already arranged for my third brother to take care of our brother’s medicine and food at home. I must go to Yellow Crane Tower to help you open the game. Although you are a master in chess, you are still an outsider. Some matters require my handling.”

Jian Liang was grateful and said, “Thank you very much, Master Min.”

Jian Liang and Min Fengshan arrived at Yellow Crane Tower, where Xie Guyan came out to greet them. After exchanging courtesies, Xie led them upstairs to the chess hall. The place had been freshly arranged; the chessboard and books were all new, and on the side hung a sign with the words “Making Friends Through Chess.” Jian Liang, seeing this, thanked Xie Guyan sincerely.

Xie Guyan bowed respectfully, “It is an honor to assist Master Jian even in a small way.”

At this moment, Min Fengshan said, “I will go greet the tavern keeper. Master Jian and Mr. Xie, please wait a moment.” Saying this, he turned and left.

A crowd had gathered, mostly spectators from the previous day, aware that a new master had taken over the chess game at Yellow Crane Tower and eager to watch the excitement. Wu Ke from Hankou pushed through with a chess manual in hand. Upon seeing Jian Liang, he looked him over in surprise and asked, “Sir, how did you come up with that brilliant move yesterday?”

Jian Liang smiled and said, “I just thought of it recklessly.”

Wu Ke looked at the manual again as if understanding, then said, “I thought so! Such a brilliant move even a sage couldn’t have conceived. So you simply thought of it recklessly. Yesterday, I was really foolish not to think of it that way!” The crowd burst into laughter.

Seeing the noise, Xie Guyan invited Jian Liang behind a folding screen to a more private room furnished with a table and chairs. Tea, snacks, and fruit were prepared, separated from the outside by the large screen. Xie Guyan invited Jian Liang to sit and said respectfully, “It’s noisy outside. Only during the game is it quiet. Please rest here, Master Jian. I will watch outside and will notify you if anyone challenges you.”

Jian Liang smiled, “Thank you very much.”

Xie Guyan bowed lightly and withdrew.

After a while, Min Fengshan’s voice was heard outside, “Put the 200 taels of silver here. Anyone with skill can come and try to win it.”

Hearing this, Jian Liang came out and saw Min Fengshan directing a servant of Lotus Pavilion to place the sealed 200 taels of silver nearby. He hurried forward and greeted him, “Thank you for your trouble, Master Min.”

Min Fengshan laughed, “Not at all, Master Jian. Don’t be so polite. I thought 100 taels was too little, so I sealed 200 as a prize.”

Jian Liang smiled and invited Min Fengshan to sit behind the screen.

Min Fengshan was pleased and said, “The tavern keeper was thrilled to hear that a master who defeated Mr. Xie’s expert is setting up a game here. He agreed to provide the venue and will serve tea at any time. If Master Jian becomes well-known in the chess world and attracts many people, the tavern’s business will flourish, and they will serve us food and wine every day.”

Jian Liang gratefully said, “That is all thanks to your efforts.”

Min Fengshan smiled, “The main thing depends on your skill at chess, Master Jian—whether you can attract challengers.”

Jian Liang laughed, “I will not let you down.”

Min Fengshan said, “I have full confidence in you. Now in Jiangnan there is the ‘King of Chess in Jiangnan,’ Tian Yangwu, a top-tier player. If you make a name for yourself, I will also feel proud.”

Jian Liang smiled, “I set the game at Yellow Crane Tower to challenge top masters from all over, hoping to draw out true opponents. Until the Grandmaster Eunuch appears, I do not expect to lose.”

Min Fengshan laughed, “That is best. Actually, if you did not have great skill, you would never dare provoke that eunuch.”

The change of players and the announcement of the 200 taels silver prize immediately astonished the visitors and drinkers at Yellow Crane Tower. They quickly took seats around the chess hall, ordered tea and food, and awaited challengers to witness the spectacle. Though no one challenged that day, the news had already spread far and wide.

The next day, as Jian Liang and Min Fengshan arrived in front of Yellow Crane Tower, Xie Guyan rushed out excitedly, “Master Jian, today a master has come to contest the game.”

Jian Liang was unconcerned, “Who is it?”

Xie Guyan said, “Yao Changqing from Guishan. His chess skills are profound and rarely matched.”

Min Fengshan was surprised, “It’s him! A haughty figure in the chess world!”

Xie Guyan said, “In my two years of setting up games, I have only lost once—to this man. It seems he’s here for the 200 taels prize.”

Jian Liang smiled lightly, “It’s good to have someone come. Even better if he wins the 200 taels.”

The three went upstairs to the chess hall and found a man with sharp triangular eyes, a flat nose, and an open shirt, sitting boldly with an arrogant demeanor. Behind him stood two servants, each holding a square box covered in red silk, clearly containing the stake for the game.

Jian Liang sat by the board, sipped tea, and ignored Yao Changqing.

Yao Changqing expected a greeting but was met with silence. He walked forward without ceremony and sat across from Jian Liang, narrowing his eyes, “So, you are the one offering 200 taels?”

Jian Liang replied calmly, “Indeed. Are you interested, sir?”

Yao Changqing laughed loudly, “Who wouldn’t be interested in 200 taels of silver!” Then his laughter ceased as he beckoned his servants and pointed to the silver boxes in their hands, expression serious. “I don’t want to take advantage of anyone, so I brought 200 taels as well. Where is the prize from the game host?”

Jian Liang waved his hand, and Xie Guyan brought out the sealed 200 taels and placed it beside the chessboard.

Yao Changqing showed joy, “Two halves make a whole, that’s where the fun is.” He then pointed to the boxes, “These two can hold 400 taels together.”

Jian Liang sneered, “Even 100,000 taels wouldn’t fill this place.”

Yao Changqing was momentarily taken aback, then glanced at Jian Liang with triangular eyes and mocked, “If you have such skill, why bother setting up a stall?”

Jian Liang smiled, “The household is short of salt, so the meat in the pot lacks flavor. I came to chess to add some seasoning.”

The crowd laughed heartily.

Yao Changqing grinned, “If you have the skill, show it on the board. What are the rules?”

Jian Liang said, “Guest moves first, host moves second. One game decides the outcome. Stakes must be at least fifty taels.”

“Good! That’s straightforward!” Yao Changqing said, “I have a reputation to uphold and won’t take advantage. With equal stakes, it’s fair. If I lose, I won’t complain.” Saying so, he took the black pieces and made the first move.

Jian Liang smiled and responded with a white move.

Spectators and onlookers were kept five steps away by benches, watching this four-hundred-tael silver contest quietly. Min Fengshan and Xie Guyan sat behind Jian Liang. The entire chess hall was hushed, only the crisp sound of pieces falling on the board could be heard.

This book is first published here.

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