Chapter Twelve: Transcendence of Primordial Essence (Part Two)

Luo Kun searched for Fang Guohuan but could not find him, leaving his heart heavy. Yet as he walked along the shores of Dongting Lake, his mood lightened, sweeping away previous troubles. He gazed out over the vast expanse of Dongting, its eight hundred li stretching endlessly, emerald waves undulating, mist blending with the sky, islands dotting the water at intervals. In the reeds, a startled bird took flight, followed by a hundred others; sand gulls skimmed low, frightening the leaping fish below; fishing boats appeared and vanished, like racing through clouds and mist. Luo Kun could not help but exclaim, “What a paradise on earth!”

He waited by the shore for some time, yet saw no boats passing; only in the distant waters did the occasional white sail appear, fleeting and gone. Luo Kun wondered, “Dongting Lake is famed throughout the land, a place of abundance and beauty—why are the boats so few?” He wandered along the bank, and found a temporary ferry dock, where he patiently waited.

Suddenly, a small boat emerged from the reeds, carrying only a man in grey, standing with hands behind his back. Though there was no one rowing, the boat moved easily across the water. Luo Kun was astonished; the man was propelling the boat by skillfully swaying it and using his legs to drive it forward. Luo Kun exclaimed, “Such formidable leg strength! Unbelievable!”

The man rotated his waist and legs, guiding the boat to the dock, picked up a cable, leapt ashore, and tied it to a wooden stake, then approached with hands behind his back. Passing Luo Kun, he glanced at him with a fierce light in his eyes, then continued on. Luo Kun was startled to see the man's face—extraordinarily long, even more so than the rare “horse-faced” people, and covered with pockmarks, singularly ugly. That one glance, with its sharp gaze, sent chills through Luo Kun. He marveled, “Such a strange appearance exists in this world!” Watching the man’s retreating figure, Luo Kun sighed, “Though ugly in visage, his legs possess great power, and he commands the boat without oars—truly astonishing!” For a moment, he was full of admiration.

After waiting at the dock for a long time, Luo Kun grew impatient, until finally a boat approached from afar, carrying seven or eight passengers—it was a ferrying fishing boat. As the boat moored, a passenger paid the fare and disembarked. Luo Kun stepped forward and asked, “Does your boat pass Sandbar Island? I wish to go to Gejia Village.” The boatman replied, “This boat goes to Wu King's Landing. There are no boats directly to Sandbar Island here. You’d better come aboard to Wu King's Landing and change boats there, otherwise, after nightfall, no more boats will come.” Luo Kun accepted, knowing he had no other choice, and nimbly boarded the boat. The boatman set both oars in motion, and the boat slowly left the shore.

Seated at the bow, Luo Kun asked the boatman, “Brother, why are there so few boats on the lake?” The boatman shook his head, “You may not know, but in recent years, a band of water bandits has appeared, robbing boats, stealing goods, and killing, causing great havoc. Large merchant vessels never dare to sail these waters without heavy escort. We, who rely on fishing and ferrying passengers to survive, have no other livelihood; we must take risks to feed our families, lest we starve.” He sighed deeply, full of worry. The passengers hugged their belongings tightly, all tense and anxious.

Luo Kun frowned, “So there is a bandit scourge on the lake; no wonder boats are rare.” The boatman continued, “Sandbar Island, where you are going, lies deep in the lake, far from the shore; few ferries travel there. If you find a fishing boat from the island at Wu King's Landing, it may take you along, otherwise, the waterway is too far, and most ferries dare not go.” Luo Kun responded thoughtfully, “These bandits are so rampant—truly despicable. When I meet my master, I must find a way to eliminate them and rid this place of evil.”

As the ferry passed through a reed marsh, the boatman grew tense and quickened the pace. Suddenly, a whistle sounded from the reeds, and four fishing boats surged out, surrounding them, crewed by fierce men wielding blades, spears, clubs, and forks, murderous intent palpable. The boatman’s face changed drastically, trembling, “Water... water bandits!” He stopped the boat, terrified. The passengers huddled in the cabin, as if disaster had struck. Luo Kun, seeing the sudden turn, rose and stood in the boat, awaiting developments.

On the bandit boat, a burly man with a double-pronged iron fork shouted, “Leave your money and goods, and you’ll be spared; if anyone hides anything, don’t blame us for being ruthless.” He signaled the four bandit boats to close in. Several timid passengers hurriedly placed their bundles and luggage at the bow.

Luo Kun spoke up, “Do not panic!” He took the oars from the bewildered boatman, stood at the bow, and declared, “If you want to rob us, you’ll have to get past me first.” He showed no fear. The bandit chief was momentarily surprised, then furious, “You fool, courting death!” He waved his hand, and the boats attacked. Luo Kun shouted, “Come then!” and wielded the heavy double oars, sweeping and striking left and right like autumn winds scattering leaves, knocking the nearest bandits from two boats into the water with ease.

The chief, enraged, waited for the boat to draw near, then bellowed and thrust his iron fork at Luo Kun. Luo Kun saw clearly, struck sideways with an oar, hitting the shaft squarely. The burly man, holding tightly, felt a violent jolt, his grip torn, iron fork flying from his hands, and he was pulled into the water. The bandits cried out in alarm, realizing they faced a formidable opponent, hastily rescuing their chief and comrades, and retreated in disarray.

The boatman and passengers, still shaken, saw Luo Kun defeat the bandits single-handedly and knelt in gratitude, thanking him for saving their lives. Luo Kun smiled and helped them up. The boat then arrived joyfully at Wu King's Landing, where the passengers thanked Luo Kun profusely before dispersing.

The boatman, moved, said to Luo Kun, “Young hero, you saved us all; I can offer nothing else, but will ferry you to Sandbar Island.” Luo Kun was delighted, “Thank you very much.” The boatman set the oars in motion and carried Luo Kun out onto the lake.

The small boat traveled for some time, and nothing occurred. Eventually, an island appeared ahead. The boatman said, “Young sir, that is Sandbar Island; Gejia Village is the estate of Master Ge Yunxiang.” Luo Kun mused, “My master arranged to meet me here; perhaps it is to visit this Ge Yunxiang?” He looked toward the island, ringed by water, lush with trees, bamboo dwellings and wooden houses nestled within, the scenery enchanting. Luo Kun admired, “What a wonderful place! Not only is the landscape beautiful, but it is isolated from the world, like a hidden paradise.” The boatman laughed, “You must not be from the water country; places like this abound in Dongting’s eight hundred li.” While speaking, the boat neared the island and moored. Luo Kun took a silver ingot from his robe and handed it to the boatman, “Thank you for your trouble; please accept this as thanks.” The boatman declined, “I dare not accept the fare from my benefactor; being able to ferry you is reward enough.” Luo Kun placed the silver on the bow, saying, “No need for courtesy; until we meet again.” With a light leap, he landed on shore, while the boatman bowed repeatedly from the boat.

Upon reaching the island, Luo Kun found Sandbar Island, despite lying deep within the lake, no different from the mainland—mountains and streams, rice fields and vegetable plots, all charming and picturesque. Finding Gejia Village, he inquired about directions and arrived at a grand residence, where he gently knocked on the door ring. Soon, a man who appeared to be a steward answered, “What business do you have?” Luo Kun bowed, “Is this the residence of Mr. Ge Yunxiang?” The man replied, “It is. Whom are you seeking?” Luo Kun said, “Did a Mr. Gu visit here recently? He is my master, who arranged to meet me here.” The steward, upon hearing this, looked Luo Kun up and down, then his face brightened, “Are you Master Luo Kun?” Luo Kun was surprised, “Indeed, I am Luo Kun. How did you know my name?” The steward replied, “Yesterday morning, my master and his old friend Mr. Gu went out on business, and specifically instructed me that Mr. Gu’s disciple might arrive these days. He told me your name and asked me to receive you and take good care. I did not expect you to come so soon.” He promptly ushered Luo Kun inside and led him to the parlor.

Luo Kun asked, “Is my master not at home?” The steward replied, “My master left with Mr. Gu to attend to important matters, which will take several days. Please rest assured and wait.” As they spoke, they arrived at the parlor, where servants served tea. The steward gestured, “I am Ge Liu, the house steward. If Master Luo needs anything, just say the word; no need for formality.” Luo Kun thanked him, pondering, “My master left in such haste for crucial matters—well, I’ll wait for his return.” Thus, Luo Kun settled in Gejia Village.

Meanwhile, after Fang Guohuan entered that state of forgetting chess and self, another ten days passed, and his expression grew ever more dazed. Gradually, he could not distinguish any of the monks at Tianyuan Temple, leaving all anxious but helpless. Master Kuyuan scoured all the scriptures, yet found no solution, and regret grew in his heart. Tianyuan Temple was enveloped in a heavy, uneasy atmosphere.

One day, Fang Guohuan’s mind was even more clouded, sitting dazed on the stone bed in White Cloud Cave. In a haze, he felt everything in heaven and earth fading away, ceasing to exist; he did not know who he was, where he came from, or where he was going. He felt himself floating in a boundless void, with nowhere to anchor, and a trace of sadness and fear arose before dissolving. His consciousness wandered, as if soaring into the clear night sky, where stars glittered, bright and vivid, a radiant moon hung at the zenith, and the sky was deep blue, the scene growing ever clearer. The heavens became a chessboard, stars as pieces, the nine stars distributed, the Tianyuan Moon fixed; all celestial patterns appeared, the Three Enclosures and Twenty-Eight Mansions hung on the horizon, stars varied in size and brightness. Suddenly, countless meteors streaked across, scattered among the constellations. The starry sky shifted, presenting ever-changing star patterns like chess formations… Mind and heaven were as one, all became clear.

It seemed as though millions of years passed in that endless span. Suddenly, something exploded in his mind; his forehead glowed, and his spirit returned to itself. A feeling of enlightenment surged, like nectar pouring over him, penetrating every pore, his whole body invigorated, his heart joyous and spirit exultant, so much so that he could not help but utter a deep “Ha!” The sound awakened Fang Guohuan from that wondrous realm; opening his eyes, he saw the monks of Tianyuan Temple gathered in the cave. Except for Master Kuyuan and Fahua, the rest held their ears and opened their mouths. Fang Guohuan’s “Ha!” was a surge of powerful, righteous energy, ringing like a great bell, echoing through the cave and out beyond, like a thunderclap. The monks felt the sound vibrate through them, as if their pores opened, their bones tingled, and an indescribable comfort washed over them. Master Kuyuan’s face shone with joy, “The great work is accomplished!” The monks cheered.

Fang Guohuan felt clear-minded and invigorated, his whole body warm. He joyfully stood and bowed to Master Kuyuan, “Master, your disciple seems to have attained the Tianyuan transformative realm.” Kuyuan was moved to tears, helping Fang Guohuan up, “My child, you sat for seven days and nights, and have reached the true fruit of the chess way—not ‘seems to have attained,’ but have truly achieved the highest realm of enlightenment and effortless mastery. Congratulations!” Fahan added, “Junior brother, seven days and nights without food or drink—you must be hungry; I have tea and snacks prepared.” Fang Guohuan laughed, “I feel nothing.” Kuyuan explained, “In deep meditation and concentrated practice, energy consumption is minimal; seven days pass like one, and hunger or thirst is absent.” Fayang stepped forward, “Brother, having attained this transformative chess realm, what strange wonders does it hold?” Fang Guohuan replied, “In the enlightened state, the chess way aligns with celestial phenomena; the nine stars are distributed, Tianyuan Moon fixed—the heavens as chessboard, stars as pieces. This is the realm. Thus, the chess way, whether instituted by Emperor Yao or devised by sages, arises in harmony with heaven.”

From then on, Fang Guohuan’s chess style changed dramatically, arranging the board’s center according to star patterns, such as the “Northern Dipper Seven Stars” formation—placing seven stones in the shape of the Dipper handle, occupying the center, not following conventional edge or corner strategies, using “heaven” to govern “earth”; this is the Tianyuan transformative chess. Fang Guohuan henceforth moved freely on the board, achieving a divine, immortal state of mastery. Master Kuyuan, Fayang, and others were astonished that Fang Guohuan, through enlightenment, comprehended the celestial star patterns. They tested him with transformative chess matches.

Kuyuan played the first game against Fang Guohuan, who said, “I’ll give master a three-stone handicap, then win back those three stones.” The monks were incredulous, but it proved true. In the second game against Fayang, Fang Guohuan said, “Senior brother has a saying: ‘Devour the whole board, leave not a single stone.’ I will make him lose in the middle game to temper his disposition.” As he predicted, so it happened, and the monks were convinced. Playing against Fahua, Fang Guohuan won by only half a stone; the monks asked why. Fang Guohuan explained, “My chess strength will match my opponent’s—stronger opponents, stronger play; weaker, weaker. I will always win by one or half a stone, to inspire their interest and never leave them discouraged.” Kuyuan reflected, “The chess way has undergone a wondrous transformation in Guohuan’s hands. In his eyes, chess no longer holds the dynamics of attack, defense, and conquest, but becomes a realm of mutual resonance and transformation—arranging the pieces, occupying the central force, and no master, ancient or modern, can surpass him. This is the true chess realm: the Tianyuan transformative state!”

Later, Fang Guohuan studied celestial star records in Tianyuan Temple’s scripture library, obtaining works such as “Three Talents Illustrated,” “Book of Jin: Astronomy,” “Shi’s Star Manual,” and other ancient texts. He even discovered a volume, “Western Star Sea Chart,” authored by Western scholars on astronomy and constellations, differing in some respects from the Chinese works. This book had been left by a visiting monk, and now Fang Guohuan acquired it. He compared all the texts, observed the stars at night, and, based on the starry formations seen in his enlightened state, selected seventy-seven star patterns applicable to chess, compiling them into the “Celestial Star Chess Manual,” which he stored at Tianyuan Temple.