Chapter 22: The Ghostly Game (Part Two)

Fang Guohuan hurriedly asked, “What did Master Qu say?” Qu Ning’er replied, “My master laughed at the time and said that Eunuch Li’s moves were just a bit odd. Though not easy to handle and requiring extra thought, they were still within the normal myriad changes of the game, always revolving around attack and defense. In this world, there is only the Way of Go—there are no such things as ‘ghost moves.’”

At this point, Bu Yuan interjected, “Did it happen later that the eunuch, seeing he couldn’t win against Master Qu, resorted to trickery? Did he blow a breath at Master Qu, cast some evil spell, or recite some sort of bewitching incantation?” Qu Ning’er shook her head. “No, Eunuch Li made no move except to play his stones.”

Fang Guohuan pressed on, “What happened then?”

“After that…” Qu Ning’er’s expression grew bewildered. “Afterwards, my master gave his all to the game, but seemed to struggle terribly. I don’t know how, but his face grew stranger and stranger, as if greatly astonished. You must understand, my master always played with calm composure, never revealing his feelings, even against the fiercest opponents. Once, back in Huaiyin, he played a visiting Daoist for two days and two nights, ending in a draw—yet remained at ease, leaving the Daoist in awe.”

Bu Yuan, beside her, asked, “So in the end, did that guard named Yu, seeing the eunuch was about to lose, play some trick, perhaps striking a pressure point on Master Qu while he was absorbed in the game? Was that why even the imperial physicians couldn’t find the cause?” Qu Ning’er shook her head. “No, Master Yu was always respectful to my master, and stood behind Eunuch Li the whole time, making no move whatsoever.”

Bu Yuan grew anxious. “If it wasn’t this, nor that, what on earth happened? Tell us—what happened in the end?”

Qu Ning’er said, “My master’s expression only grew more peculiar, staring in terror at the board, as if something there had frightened him. He would take an age to play a single stone—something that had never happened before. Eunuch Li, too, seemed to struggle, offering my master words of praise, but my master paid him no heed, sitting as if entranced.”

Hearing this, Fang Guohuan recalled what Tie Wu once said about a similar situation when Master Zhishan played against Li Wusan. He glanced at Bu Yuan and Liu Xing, and each was perplexed.

Qu Ning’er went on, “It seemed the game was not finished when Eunuch Li gathered up his black stones, swept a hand across the board to scatter them, stood up, and took his leave. My master behaved very strangely—he did not rise to see him off, but sat motionless at the table. Master Yu spoke a few words of farewell, but seeing my master unresponsive, asked Eunuch Li what was wrong. Eunuch Li replied that my master had been defeated and was now distressed and aggrieved. Master Yu was astonished, saying that since Eunuch Li had bested my master, he could claim to be the world’s greatest. Eunuch Li gave a strange laugh and said, ‘More than merely the world’s greatest—unique in all the world!’”

“Unique in all the world?” Fang Guohuan was startled. “And then?”

Qu Ning’er said, “Then Eunuch Li and Master Yu left. The scholars of the Go Academy, hearing that my master had played a game with Eunuch Li, hurried over to ask the result, but my master ignored them, and they left disappointed. I tried to attend my master, to help him change for bed, yet he remained at the table, muttering to himself. I could only wait by his side, offering tea, but he took no notice. As time passed, I must have fallen asleep beside him. Suddenly…” She broke off, her face showing terror, voice choking with tears. “Suddenly, my master’s cry woke me. I opened my eyes to a frightful sight—his hair disheveled, clothes in disarray, he was pacing and leaping about the room, weeping and laughing by turns. From that moment, he was mad.” With this, Qu Ning’er broke down and wept.

Fang Guohuan sighed. “It seems Master Zhishan and Master Qu Liangyi both suffered at the hands of Li Wusan’s ghostly Go. Who would have thought there truly existed such a deadly art in the game?” Bu Yuan said, “Could the eunuch have tampered with the stones?” Liu Xing replied, “Impossible. Li Wusan has defeated countless masters in the past, leaving them with the notion of ‘absolute Go’—and always used ordinary stones. It cannot be the equipment.”

Fang Guohuan pondered for a moment. “From the timing, Li Wusan must have, after first learning this demonic art, sought out masters to test its power. After long practice, he fully mastered this murderous skill on the board a month ago. His first target was the renowned Qu Liangyi, his rival in fame, and then he went to Maple Grove Cottage and killed Master Zhishan. As for why Master Qu was left deranged and ruined but not killed outright as Zhishan was, perhaps Li Wusan bore him a grudge or took a perverse pleasure in his suffering. Or, perhaps, Master Qu’s own skill was so high he resisted the deadliest force, surviving but at the cost of sanity and art. As for how Li Wusan acquired such power on the chessboard, or where this mysterious, lethal art came from, we cannot say. Investigating Li Wusan’s conduct in the palace may reveal something—Liu Baixi, what news did you hear from the palace today?”

Bu Yuan and Liu Xing both nodded at Fang Guohuan’s reasoning.

Fang Guohuan then took twenty taels of silver and handed them to Qu Ning’er. “Take this for your immediate needs. As for Master Qu’s future, we’ll find another way.” Qu Ning’er was deeply grateful, bowing with tears.

The three left the inn and saw one of the staff basking in the sun by the door. Fang Guohuan went over and handed him five taels of silver. “Please, look after Master Qu. Don’t let him wander off or come to any harm. See to the needs of him and his servant—make sure they want for nothing.” The attendant, delighted, promised profusely, thumping his chest. “Young master, rest assured, I’ll take care of everything. If anything happens, you can hold me responsible.” Only then did Fang Guohuan leave with Bu Yuan and Liu Xing at ease. The other inn staff, seeing their colleague receive such a windfall, were green with envy and cursed themselves for not sitting at the door.

When Fang Guohuan, Bu Yuan, and Liu Xing returned to Baixi’s Go Hall, Liu Baixi had not yet returned from his inquiries. Liu Yue, Liu Xing, and the other disciples kept Fang Guohuan and Bu Yuan company with tea in the main hall. All the disciples knew Fang Guohuan was a master and were eager not to miss the chance; they brought out some disputed game records by great players and set up several ancient life-and-death problems, asking for his guidance.

Sipping tea, Fang Guohuan placed a few stones with a wave of his hand, instantly solving the tricky positions. He clarified the debated records in a few simple words. The disciples, seeing his effortless style, stared at one another in amazement—it was as if he surpassed even their master. All were filled with admiration.

Bu Yuan, seeing Fang Guohuan easily instruct the hall’s disciples into submission, was delighted. He wandered to the front hall to listen as the disciples taught the younger children their lessons. When a few children grinned back at him, Bu Yuan blushed, made a funny face, and quietly slipped away.

It was evening when Liu Baixi finally returned. After a cup of tea, he reported to Fang Guohuan, “Today I asked a few old friends among the palace eunuchs. Apart from the fact that Li Wusan’s self-castration was puzzling, they noticed nothing unusual. However, there was a stretch of time when he shut himself away, seemingly to study game records. Eunuch Cao, who manages the inner palace, told me Li Wusan often visited the Imperial Library.”

Fang Guohuan mused, “The Imperial Library must be rich in books. For Li Wusan to seek out ancient treatises to broaden his knowledge and skill is not strange, but… Could it be he found some extraordinary book there?”

Liu Baixi replied, “That thought occurred to me as well. The library is full of rare and secret volumes. Li Wusan’s sudden transformation—becoming so unfathomable—may well be due to discovering some demonic treatise, enabling him to master this deadly art. It’s a possibility we can’t dismiss. But I’m not acquainted with the eunuch in charge of the library. I’ll see what I can do tomorrow.” He continued, “Since Qu Liangyi’s madness and Li Wusan’s and Captain Yu’s mysterious disappearance, the emperor has not played a single game in over a month—his interest clearly dampened by the loss of two top masters. The imperial Go scene is gravely wounded; perhaps the art will never recover.” He sighed deeply.

Fang Guohuan said, “One person’s brilliance can inspire an era. Master Qu Liangyi was a leader of our age; his fame echoed through the land, drawing admirers everywhere. His name is sure to endure in the annals of Go.” Liu Baixi nodded. “Indeed. Across the ages, there have been many great players, but for one to be named Champion and head the Royal Go Academy, guiding the nation’s style, Qu Liangyi was the first. He even once defeated a Jurchen prince, bringing honor to our dynasty. Such achievements are a model for us all.” The others all nodded in agreement.

Fang Guohuan then recounted for Liu Baixi all that Qu Ning’er had told him at the inn. Liu Baixi was taken aback. “So it truly happened at the board! Who could imagine such a murderous art exists in Go? It’s terrifying!” The disciples were all equally aghast. After a moment, Liu Baixi sighed, “From today, the Go world is in for troubled times.”

At that moment, a disciple entered. “Master, Master Yinquan has arrived.” Liu Baixi was delighted. “Quick, invite him in!” Soon, Mu Yinquan came hurrying in, waving a game record. “Baixi, I’ve finally found a move to beat you! It seems I’ve improved after all, and I misjudged you yesterday!”

Liu Baixi rose to greet him, smiling. “Your play yesterday was ingenious, always testing me with hidden moves.” Mu Yinquan shook his head. “Shame on me! I didn’t recognize the subtlety of that move at the time—my skill is not what it was. I couldn’t manage that play myself—the years have dulled my edge.”

Mu Yinquan continued, “This afternoon, Liu Yue brought me this game record, and it suddenly became clear. He said a young gentleman named Fang, newly arrived in the capital, had astonishing skill—he saw the ‘one stone traps two dragons’ move at a glance.” Liu Baixi laughed, “Indeed, our Go world has a new young master—this is Master Fang.” Fang Guohuan stepped forward and saluted. “I am Fang Guohuan—an honor to meet you, Master Yinquan.”

Mu Yinquan was startled at Fang Guohuan’s youth. “Such skill at your age—when you reach my years, you’ll be peerless!” Fang Guohuan replied, “You are too kind, sir. There is always someone better; learning never ends.” Mu Yinquan was greatly pleased. Fang Guohuan then introduced Bu Yuan, and courtesies were exchanged all round. The disciples served tea and all drank.

Mu Yinquan then said, “When Liu Yue brought the game record, he mentioned that Master Baixi and Master Fang were investigating Li Wusan’s case—that the madness of Qu Liangyi was linked to a game with him. Is there any progress? I find it hard to believe that such strange things could arise over a game.”

Liu Baixi replied, “The facts are as you say—hard to believe, but undeniable. In fact, Master Fang came to the capital specifically to investigate a murder linked to Li Wusan, who, after injuring Qu Liangyi, left the city and began killing with Go across the land.”

Mu Yinquan exclaimed, “Killing with Go? How did that eunuch master such an evil art?” Liu Baixi said, “Li Wusan’s transformation began in the palace. He often visited the Imperial Library. We suspect he found some secret tome and learned a deadly Go technique. I tried asking some eunuchs today, but I don’t know the one in charge of the library. Perhaps I can arrange something tomorrow.”

Mu Yinquan said, “Li Wusan was always eccentric. Since this concerns Go, it must be investigated. As luck would have it, I know Eunuch Lin, who manages both the Library and the Imperial Academy. Leave this matter to me.” Liu Baixi and Fang Guohuan were overjoyed. Liu Baixi asked, “How do you know him?” Mu Yinquan replied, “Like us, he’s a collector of rare books. He’s served through several reigns and often comes out to those old bookstores in the city. My family happens to have a large collection—an introduction was made, and he’s since acquired several volumes from me, always eager for more. He once said that if I ever needed anything, I should come to him. I can ask him about this.”

Fang Guohuan said, “Then we must trouble you, Master Yinquan.” Mu Yinquan replied, “Restoring the Go world is a duty I cannot refuse. Wait for my news tomorrow.” All were delighted.

The next day, everyone waited at the hall for Master Yinquan, but there was no sign of him, and they grew anxious. Bu Yuan wondered, “Perhaps the old master tricked us and, failing in his errand, is too embarrassed to come back?” Liu Baixi shook his head. “No, Master Yinquan is honest and reliable—we’ve been friends for years. He’s likely just delayed.”

Evening came and still there was no sign. As night fell and the young students were picked up by their families, Liu Xing was about to close the doors when he saw Mu Yinquan arrive in a small sedan chair, hurrying in. Liu Xing welcomed him warmly and pressed some coins into the bearers’ hands before leading him inside.