Chapter Forty-Two: The Game of Go, Part One

At this moment, Guohuan had already realized Ping’er’s good intentions, and couldn't help but say gratefully, "If Fang Guohuan manages to escape with his life today, I will surely repay Miss Ping’er and Miss Lu for your great kindness."

Suddenly, Ping’er was startled and exclaimed, "Sir, did you say your name is Fang...?" Her expression had already changed dramatically.

Fang Guohuan asked in surprise, "I am Fang Guohuan. Is there anything wrong with that?" Ping’er said with delight, "Are you the very same Fang Guohuan who, outside the Great Wall, set up the Heavenly Origin Chess Formation and repelled two hundred thousand Jurchen troops?" Fang Guohuan replied in astonishment, "Indeed, I am he. I did not expect you to have heard of me, Miss Ping’er."

At this, Ping’er was overwhelmed with excitement, her voice trembling. "It really is Master Fang! Ever since my lady heard of your name, she marveled at such a master in the game of chess, and has dreamed of meeting you in person..."

Just then, the door flew open and the guard named Liu Qing hurried in, saying, "Sister Ping, hurry, the chief is coming this way!" At this, Ping’er turned pale with fright, gave Fang Guohuan a panicked look, and rushed out. Liu Qing quickly closed the door behind her.

Seeing Ping’er’s sudden retreat, Fang Guohuan could not help but wonder: who was this chief, this master of thieves, to inspire such fear in her? Remembering the Miss Lu Ziyun mentioned by Ping’er, he mused, "For such virtuous women of chess skill to be among outlaws—truly rare!"

At that moment, footsteps sounded outside the door, and three people entered. The leader was a thin, cold-looking old man whose very gaze inspired dread. The second was the burly man from before. But it was the third who made Fang Guohuan gasp in shock—a man with a long floating beard, a pale and strikingly luminous face, eyes glinting with malice, idly playing with a slender jade ruyi scepter. It was none other than the famed physician of sinister arts, Jade Ruyi, Yumanba, master of the mind-transference technique.

Fang Guohuan was startled to find his old nemesis Yumanba had fled here. With enemies meeting on a narrow road, the odds looked grim; he could only curse his luck in silence. As soon as Yumanba entered, he recognized Fang Guohuan tied to the pillar, and with a startled cry, rushed forward.

The gaunt old man reached out swiftly, stopping Yumanba with a hand. "Brother Yu, why such haste?" Yumanba, seething with rage, replied, "Brother Lu, this wretch is the very enemy who ruined my household. The heavens themselves have brought him to me, so I may exact my vengeance at last." The old man was surprised. "Brother Yu, are you certain this is the man?"

Yumanba gnashed his teeth. "I could not be mistaken. Even if he were reduced to ashes, I would know him." Seeing the situation, Fang Guohuan steeled himself and smiled at Yumanba. "So, the infamous Jade Ruyi, wanted by the authorities, is hiding here, still up to your old criminal ways. You were lucky to escape that day, or you would have died to my friend's bullet."

At this, Yumanba reflexively touched his cheek, a hint of fear in his eyes, then snarled, "Wretch, don’t be arrogant. The wheel of fortune turns; who would have thought you’d fall into my hands today?"

The old man furrowed his brow, sizing Fang Guohuan up. "This young man has courage as well as presence—clearly no ordinary person." He paced before Fang Guohuan and said slowly, "Young man, I am Lu Peixin, master of this place. I have a question for you, and you would do well to answer honestly. Since you have fallen into my and my brother Yang Hua’s hands, do not entertain thoughts of escape." With that, he held up a metal token. "Where did you get this alloy command token?"

Fang Guohuan replied, "Since you recognize it, why bother to ask?" Lu Peixin shook his head. "The Supreme Emblem of the Guildhouse belongs only to the Grandmaster, who is currently a young woman—not you. Yet you carry it; there must be a reason."

Fang Guohuan thought to himself, "That venomous Yumanba consorts with these men; clearly, they are all cut from the same cloth—up to no good. Still, when my sister gave me this token, she said to show it in times of trouble; both the underworld and the upright would give the Guildhouse its due respect. Since matters have come to this, perhaps it’s best to reveal my special connection with the Guildhouse. No matter who they are, they shouldn't dare harm me lightly." Resolving thus, he said, "Since I am already in your hands, there’s no harm in telling you. This token was given to me personally by the Guildhouse Grandmaster, Sister Lian Qiying." At these words, Lu Peixin, Yang Hua, and Yumanba were all greatly surprised, exchanging bewildered glances.

Lu Peixin asked, "You are truly of the Guildhouse?" Fang Guohuan shook his head. "Not exactly, but I have long been friends with many of the heroes within the Guildhouse."

Lu Peixin was taken aback. "You are not of the Guildhouse? Then why would Lian Qiying bestow the Supreme Emblem upon you?" From the side, Yang Hua said, "He must have stolen or tricked it from her."

Fang Guohuan laughed. "That’s still better than you villains snatching it by force." Yang Hua bristled, but Lu Peixin stopped him with a gesture and turned back to Fang Guohuan. "You are not of the Guildhouse, yet possess its Supreme Emblem. Clearly your connection is extraordinary. Tell me your name. There are few in the martial world whose names I do not know."

Fang Guohuan replied, "I am but a man of no renown, unworthy to be compared with the heroes of the Guildhouse. There is no need to reveal my origin." Lu Peixin, seeing Fang Guohuan’s unwavering integrity and lack of fear, was even more convinced that this was no ordinary man. He turned to Yumanba, who glared hatefully. "Brother Yu, since this man is your nemesis, do you know his background?"

Yumanba shook his head in confusion. "He’s a strange fellow—I only know he’s surnamed Fang, but I don’t recall his full name. When I encountered him on the road, I tried to rob him, but ended up fleeing for my life, losing my livelihood of many years and nearly dying. I still don’t know if he’s good or evil. The two young men with him were even more formidable. Not only was I utterly defeated, I lost everything, and nearly my life as well." At this, Yumanba broke out in a cold sweat from the memory.

Yang Hua interjected, "Clearly not an ordinary man. If the brothers at the inn hadn’t found some unusual items on him and brought him here, we would have chopped him up for meat buns by now, not stood chatting like this."

Fang Guohuan replied, "Those who do evil will meet their end. I advise you to turn over a new leaf, or retribution is near." Yang Hua merely snorted.

Lu Peixin paced back and forth, then said coldly to Fang Guohuan, "Young man, whoever you are and whatever your connection to the Guildhouse, it means nothing to me. Whether you reveal your name or not, you will not escape death today." He turned to Yang Hua. "Brother, deal with him, but leave no excuse for the Guildhouse to pursue us."

Seeing this, Fang Guohuan’s heart tightened, and he sighed inwardly, "My fate is sealed!"

Yang Hua grinned savagely and advanced. "Wretch, you’re unlucky to fall into our hands."

Beside him, Yumanba gloated, "No one will save you today. You’re as good as dead. Wait—" Suddenly, he remembered, "I recall now—this fellow’s name is Fang Guohuan."

"Fang Guohuan?" Lu Peixin, about to leave, stopped in surprise and quickly halted Yang Hua. "Hold, brother. I have something to ask him." He scrutinized Fang Guohuan. "A few months ago, outside Dushikou Pass, you set up the Heavenly Origin Chess Formation and drove back two hundred thousand Jurchen cavalry, saving the Guildhouse’s elite. Are you the famed Fang Guohuan?"

Knowing he would not escape death today, Fang Guohuan was calm and unafraid. "A minor reputation, not worth mentioning."

Lu Peixin nodded. "So it is. No wonder you carry the Supreme Emblem. That girl Lian Qiying must have given it to you out of gratitude. What a unique status!"

Yang Hua was astounded. "So this is the man who set up the chess formation outside the pass, helping the Guildhouse escape disaster. No wonder we found such fine chess manuals on him—he’s a master of the art!"

Yumanba was also stunned. "So he truly is that skilled—using chess strategy in real battle? What an extraordinary mind!"

Lu Peixin glanced at Fang Guohuan, then at the token. Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he was overcome with excitement and glee. Yang Hua hesitated. "Brother, this man’s connection to the Guildhouse is not ordinary. Perhaps we cannot kill him."

Yumanba urgently interjected, "Brother Lu, this man is my enemy. For the sake of our past friendship, let me deal with him." He turned to Fang Guohuan with a sinister grin. "Fang Guohuan, I’ll swap that brilliant brain of yours for a monkey’s—have you ever known the taste of a fate worse than death?"

Fang Guohuan was horrified. If he fell into Yumanba's hands, there was nothing the man would not do. His heart chilled with dread, but he was helpless.

Lu Peixin said slowly, "To be such a chess master, and with a special connection to the Guildhouse, you are a rare find and may be of great use in the future. Killing you would be a waste."

Yumanba, realizing that recalling Fang Guohuan’s name had inadvertently saved him, was filled with regret. "Brother Lu, this man cannot be left alive. If he escapes, neither of us will have peace."

Yang Hua said, "Since he’s such trouble, best to kill him now and silence him. If the Guildhouse finds out, we cannot afford the consequences."

"The Guildhouse!" Lu Peixin’s eyes flashed with malice. "Ten years ago, I, Lu Peixin, ruled the underworld. My reputation was fearsome, yet the Guildhouse forced me into hiding in this remote village. Now, with the Supreme Emblem, I can act in the Guildhouse’s name and pull off some great schemes. When the Guildhouse’s reputation is ruined, we can wash our hands of the whole affair and avenge the shame of the past. How satisfying that will be!" He burst into laughter.

Fang Guohuan was alarmed. "Lu Peixin, do not use the Guildhouse’s token for evil. If the heroes of the Guildhouse discover it, you will not be forgiven!"

Lu Peixin sneered. "When the Supreme Emblem is shown, it is as if the Grandmaster is present. For a while, no one will suspect a thing. With it, I can command the Guildhouse’s branches—who would dare defy me? In today’s world, only the imperial family and the Guildhouse hold sway. I will use this to accomplish great things." He turned to Yang Hua. "Brother, keep a close watch on him. If things go smoothly, fine; if not, we have a scapegoat. As long as Fang Guohuan is in our hands, the Guildhouse will not dare cross us." With a laugh, he left, taking the token.

Yumanba hurried after him. "Brother Lu, leave no witnesses. Let me have my revenge."

Yang Hua, surprised by Lu Peixin’s actions, told Liu Qing and Zhang Wan at the door, "Tonight, you two will guard him personally. No one is to enter or leave. If he escapes, you’ll answer for it." With that, he too departed.

Fang Guohuan was filled with anxiety. "Lu Peixin is cunning and ruthless. If he uses the token to impersonate the Guildhouse and cause chaos, the consequences will be dire. I can't believe I let the token fall into such hands—what a grave mistake. Now, not only is my life forfeit, but I may bring disaster upon the Guildhouse. And the case of the imperial eunuch chess master, who has slain so many of the world’s finest players, is still unsolved..." With a sigh, he fell into melancholy.

At dusk, Liu Qing and Zhang Wan brought him some food, then left.

Deep in the night, as the second watch sounded, Fang Guohuan, half-asleep, suddenly heard voices outside. Liu Qing said, "Divine Physician Yu, what brings you here so late?"

"Yumanba?" Fang Guohuan snapped awake.

He heard Yumanba's voice from outside. "Just passing by. You two have worked hard watching this fellow."

Zhang Wan said, "And for what? The second master himself said so—better to kill him and be done with it, save us all this trouble." Yumanba replied, "Who can disagree? Keeping watch day and night is dull work. By the way, how is he inside?"

Liu Qing answered, "Just a frail scholar, and tied up tight. He can't escape." Yumanba said, "All the better..." Suddenly, Yumanba cried out in alarm, "What is that?" and then all was silent outside.

First publication.

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