Chapter Fifty: The Chess Prodigy, Part One
The "Art of Go" speaks of ranks in the game: first, reaching divine mastery; second, sitting with clear insight; third, concrete form; fourth, subtle understanding; fifth, the use of wisdom; sixth, clever finesse; seventh, battling strength; eighth, seeming simplicity; ninth, guarding one’s clumsiness. The measure of skill in Go is often confined to worldly norms. In the Tang dynasty, the master player Wang Jixin authored the "Ten Commandments" of Go: 1. Do not covet victory greedily; 2. Enter the realm with calmness; 3. Attack the opponent while protecting oneself; 4. Sacrifice stones to seize initiative; 5. Abandon the small for the greater; 6. When in danger, be prepared to sacrifice; 7. Proceed with caution, avoiding haste; 8. Every move must correspond appropriately; 9. When the opponent is strong, defend firmly; 10. When isolated, seek harmony. These ten precepts guide the mindset and approach of players in the face of the game’s unfolding, perfectly aligning with the principles of Go masters.
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Fang Guohuan smiled and said, “Master Yuchi, there’s no need for formalities. Today, to witness so many great players at Jade Go Villa engaging in such grand strategic play is truly eye-opening. Master Yuchi’s ingenious strategies command great admiration.”
Yuchi Yunlu replied, “Master Fang is too kind. This Go arena was established by our predecessors to invite the world’s finest players to jointly explore the endless variations of Go, to discover new ideas and probe the mysteries and wonders of the game.”
Fang Guohuan nodded repeatedly.
At this moment, Liu Shuipeng expressed deep respect: “Master Fang’s prowess in Go is profound and unfathomable, rare across the ages. Today, brilliant moves appeared one after another on the board. First, the move shown on the folded paper temporarily divided victory. Then, another divine move settled the balance of the universe. It seems the vision of a master on the board is without limit!” Clearly, Liu Shuipeng and the other players mistakenly believed Fang Guohuan was the one who revealed that initial move on the paper.
The Taoist priest Tianji also sighed, “Master Fang first showed a brilliant move, which made us all believe the game’s outcome was certain. Unexpectedly, you followed with a divine move, each side lending strength to bring about a draw. Such a marvelous game, to encounter it is truly fortunate!”
Fang Guohuan said, “It is rare that all of you could collaboratively navigate such a complex and ambiguous position on the board. The opportunity to demonstrate a move was thanks to the state of the game decided by all of you. However…”
Fang Guohuan shook his head. “The one who first revealed that move on the folded paper was not me, but another master.” At this statement, everyone was shocked. Yuchi Yunlu and He Tianyi exchanged glances, their expressions filled with astonishment.
He Tianyi exclaimed, “If the folded paper wasn’t from Master Fang, then the person must be another. Today, who in the world has reached such extraordinary skill in Go? Besides Master Fang, there is only one other. Could it be that we’ve truly drawn him here?” His voice trembled as he spoke the last words.
Yuchi Yunlu’s expression suddenly changed, his face paling. He quickly rose and left the Go hall, summoning several villa attendants. Lowering his head, he questioned them quietly. Each attendant shook their head in reply. Frowning deeply, Yuchi Yunlu returned to his seat. Fang Guohuan noticed his peculiar demeanor and inquired, “Master Yuchi, may I ask what has happened?”
Yuchi Yunlu sighed deeply and said solemnly, “To be frank, this Go gathering at Jade Go Villa was advanced by six months and was arranged in such haste solely to lure one person. To keep the true purpose secret, no one except Elder He Tianyi was informed.”
The assembled players were stunned.
Liu Shuipeng asked in surprise, “This gathering is quite unusual, then. What person is Master Yuchi hoping to draw here? Could it be Master Fang?”
Yuchi Yunlu replied, “It was never intended to lure Master Fang, which is an unexpected pleasure. The person we seek is well-known to all. His actions have shaken the world and brought disaster to the Go community.”
Hearing this, the players fell silent, the atmosphere instantly heavy with tension.
Fang Guohuan’s heart stirred as he began to understand.
Yuchi Yunlu continued with worry, “Since the one who showed the move on the folded paper was not Master Fang, it must be this person. He has arrived but remains hidden. The villa’s guards laid traps and yet failed to detect any trace of him. Are they at least alert?”
Fang Guohuan asked, “Master Yuchi, is this person the national master eunuch Li Ruchuan?”
Yuchi Yunlu nodded and sighed, “Indeed, but he now goes by the name Li Wusan.”
Fang Guohuan said, “Li Wusan was his alias in the palace; his real name is Li Ruchuan.”
Yuchi Yunlu was surprised. “Master Fang, do you truly know this national master eunuch who kills through Go?”
Fang Guohuan sighed, “Several years ago, I encountered him briefly. Later, he learned a demonic Go technique that leads him into a realm of darkness. Since then, he has used this evil art to kill for pleasure through the game. I have long pursued Li Ruchuan’s whereabouts, but he moves with great cunning and remains elusive.”
The other players were taken aback. Taoist Tianji exclaimed, “So Master Fang has long been aware of this man. It seems only Master Fang’s skill can counter this murderous Go technique.”
Yuchi Yunlu lamented, “Go is an elegant art and yet it can be deadly. Such a corruption in our current Go world is a grave misfortune. If Master Fang can restrain this man’s murderous skill, it will be a great merit.”
Fang Guohuan said, “Li Ruchuan’s demonic Go technique is mysterious and unfathomable. How it can bring about death surpasses the bounds of mere skill. Regardless, I wish to seek him out and duel on the board. Even if I cannot defeat him, I want to uncover the truth behind this murderous Go. Let justice be done for those players he has harmed.”
The players expressed their admiration.
One person said, “Since the national master eunuch has arrived at Jade Go Villa, we cannot let him escape. We must find him at once. Even if we cannot defeat him in Go, we must take his life by sword or blade.”
He Tianyi added, “Indeed, this is a rare opportunity. With Master Fang present and our collective skill, I do not believe we cannot overcome him.”
Liu Shuipeng said, “Since the national master eunuch dared to reveal a move on paper, it seems his murderous nature cannot be contained. For the sake of preserving the elegance of Go, today we must end him by any means necessary, to prevent more players from suffering.”
Someone else agreed, “We are strong in numbers and will find this eunuch without difficulty.”
For a moment, the group was fired up, ready to set out to capture Li Ruchuan.
Fang Guohuan quickly rose to stop them. “Please hold, everyone. When that move was shown on the board, I saw the figure from behind. It was not the national master eunuch Li Ruchuan. Moreover, the move shown was a pure and brilliant one, unlike the demonic art used to harm others. There was another master present on the board at that time.”
The players were stunned once more.
Yuchi Yunlu asked in surprise, “If the one who showed the move was neither Master Fang nor Li Ruchuan, then who else could it be? To show such extraordinary skill—to reach such mastery!”
Fang Guohuan said, “On the board just now, although I recognized the brilliance of that move, I had not yet stepped forward to highlight it before that person had already done so. This master’s skill is no less than mine.”
Yuchi Yunlu sighed, “Having such a master alongside Master Fang is truly a blessing for the art of Go. Yet the presence of the national master eunuch Li Ruchuan, who kills through the game, casts a shadow over the elegance of Go, making people fearful to speak of it.”
Someone shook their head, “Already dozens of top players have been harmed by that eunuch. I refuse to believe that Go itself can kill. He must be using some trick or dark magic, killing by sorcery rather than by Go skill. The notion of demonic Go is not credible.”
Fang Guohuan said, “Though Go is an elegant art, it has its light and dark sides. The fact that dozens of masters died after playing Li Ruchuan is proof enough. Go can kill; this is now a fact.”
Those present fell silent.
Yuchi Yunlu said, “Li Ruchuan is always protected by formidable bodyguards. After each killing game, he escapes unharmed. Even those who seek revenge have been defeated by his guards. Approaching him to kill him is nearly impossible. The only chance is to defeat him on the board, to cripple his murderous technique.”
Fang Guohuan nodded, “Matters of Go must be settled on the board. The urgent task now is to find Li Ruchuan.”
Yuchi Yunlu said, “It is a regret that this gathering did not lure him out. Therefore, I hope all friends of the Go world will watch his movements carefully. Do not play with strangers lightly. Should there be any news of him, send word immediately to Jade Go Villa. Evil cannot triumph over righteousness. With Master Fang here, we have the hope to restrain Li Ruchuan’s murderous demonic Go and restore the elegance of our cherished game.”
The players nodded in agreement.
The Jade Go Villa gathering had failed to draw out the national master eunuch Li Ruchuan. He Tianyi, Taoist Tianji, Liu Shuipeng, and the others then took their leave from Yuchi Yunlu and Fang Guohuan, bowing respectfully as they departed.
After seeing them off, Yuchi Yunlu invited Fang Guohuan into his study. Closing the door behind them, he said, “Master Fang, today I want you to meet someone.”
He then activated a hidden mechanism in the wall, opening a secret door, and led the way inside.
Fang Guohuan was taken aback but followed him in.
They entered a dark chamber lit by flickering candles. A man dressed entirely in white, with a white band tied around his head, stood with his back to them. His attire was that of mourning.
Hearing their movement, the man turned around. He was middle-aged, unknown to Fang Guohuan, who inwardly wondered why Yuchi Yunlu had brought him here.
The man, upon seeing Yuchi Yunlu, hurried forward with evident grief and urgency. “Master Yuchi, have you any news of the eunuch?”
Yuchi Yunlu shook his head. “For reasons unknown, the national master eunuch has not appeared. It seems this gathering at Jade Go Villa failed to lure him out. But do not despair, Mr. Bai. Unexpectedly, this meeting did attract a great master.”
He then introduced Fang Guohuan, “This is Master Fang Guohuan, whose skill has reached divine mastery. In the future, he may be the one to counter the national master eunuch’s murderous Go technique.”
—End of excerpt—
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