Chapter 48: Chapter 45: Turning the Tables
Both thought of this and exchanged a look, their expressions becoming slightly more solemn.
As teachers within the academy, how could they lead by example in helping a disciple cheat?
No, no, even though you are the young master of the Divine General Mansion, it’s not acceptable, and there were no gifts… Pah, what gifts, even gifts wouldn’t make it acceptable, you’re not a prince…
While they were racking their brains on how to gently refuse the young man, Li Hao already responded to Shen Yunqing’s words:
“That cultivation technique, I’ve already mastered it.”
“Actually, it’s normal for you to find it difficult, just take your time to comprehend it…”
Shen Yunqing’s words were cut short as he suddenly froze, looking at Li Hao in astonishment: “What did you say?”
“I said, the cultivation technique on the stele, I’ve already mastered it.” Li Hao had to repeat himself, suspecting that the old man was hard of hearing.
“Mastered it?”
Across from him, the grey-robed elder Zhao Zongyuan looked at Li Hao in surprise. By ‘mastered it,’ did he mean he had already entered the threshold?
“Which did you choose, the Wind-Slashing Fist or the Nine Stars Triple Step?”
Shen Yunqing also snapped back to reality, sizing up Li Hao, thinking the kid must be boasting.
“The Wind-Slashing Fist.”
Li Hao thought for a moment, seeming to also realize that such a claim was indeed surprising, and immediately threw a punch. The punch carried a subtle trembling wind, with a low hum of force, as if sharp blades of wind were cutting through with the punch.
Both of their eyes narrowed in recognition that this was one of the moves of the Wind-Slashing Fist. To be able to produce the sound of wind and the cutting force, it wasn’t merely at the level of a beginner, it was even at the level of adeptness approaching perfection.
Could it be…
The two exchanged glances, their eyes filled with a chilling sharpness. They had long heard of the Li Family’s Listening Rain Tower, which housed countless martial arts techniques. Could it be that the Wind-Slashing Fist was also included there?
But the three cultivation techniques on the stele were all from Tan Palace Academy’s collection, which was changed every six years. They had never heard of them being exposed outside before, had they?
Between major forces, their relationships were complex. Many thoughts surfaced in the minds of the two elders, yet they soon suppressed them, not asking Li Hao any further questions.
It never crossed their minds that Li Hao had comprehended the set of fists in just a short moment.
In such a brief amount of time, one could only just carefully watch it once through; to even grasp the surface of the technique would be quite good, let alone reach a level of adeptness or perfection.
“In that case, you have indeed passed the test, but we aren’t responsible for the examination, you should find that uncle over there,” said Shen Yunqing, pointing towards the center of the square where a middle-aged man stood with his hands behind his back, his face calm. In front of him, four people were practicing their techniques, but their movements were visibly stiff.
“I will go in a bit.”
Li Hao was not in a hurry and instead let his gaze fall on the chessboard upon which the two elders were playing. After glancing back and forth a couple of times, he immediately saw the situation and said, “This game of chess is about to be lost.”
“Hm?”
Both elders looked surprised, with Shen Yunqing raising an eyebrow: “You’re so young, yet you understand chess?”
“I know a little bit,” Li Hao said modestly.
“Oh?”
Zhao Zongyuan smiled mockingly, glancing at Shen Yunqing: “Then tell us, who is winning and who is losing?”
Upon hearing that, Shen Yunqing couldn’t help but laugh and curse him playfully.
Li Hao pointed out truthfully, “If he continues with the previous chess strategy, he will lose.”
He pointed toward Shen Yunqing.
Shen Yunqing’s face turned red, feeling a bit embarrassed, now believing the young man truly knew something about chess. He cleared his throat twice and said, “I was just coming to fetch you guys, I wasn’t concentrating on this game, I didn’t play well.”
“Go on, go on.”
If it weren’t for the presence of the younger generation, Zhao Zongyuan might have kicked him, rolling his eyes at him.
Following that, Zhao Zongyuan addressed Li Hao: “Based on what you said, there’s still a chance for him to win this game?”
“Yes.”
Li Hao nodded, his voice no longer casual at that moment, becoming very decisive:
“If you change the strategy, you can win!”
“Oh?”
Zhao Zongyuan was originally teasing him, but upon hearing this, he was taken aback. Then his smile receded, saying indifferently, “Then do tell, how can he win this game?”
Shen Yunqing was amazed, looking at Li Hao curiously. Knowing the outcome meant Li Hao at least understood some of the basic rules of chess, but to see a winning move? That was a joke, as even he couldn’t find a way to win.
“Place a piece here.”
Li Hao pointed on the chessboard.
Zhao Zongyuan glanced at where he pointed and scoffed quietly, “What if I place my piece here?” He pointed to an adjacent spot.
“Here,” Li Hao continued pointing.
“And if I move here?”
“Here.”
“I…” Zhao Zongyuan was about to point to another blocking move when suddenly his expression changed dramatically, his eyes fixed on the chessboard, flickering uncertainly.
Though no pieces were actually placed by their fingers on the board, in his mind, the chessboard was already imprinted with moves at those few spots.
These moves were nothing special and certainly didn’t suggest a winning position, but… they seemed a bit subtle.
That severed vein seemed like it could be connected!
Zhao Zongyuan’s gaze became more focused, he withdrew the finger pointing to the chessboard and showed a thoughtful expression.
Shen Yunqing by his side at first didn’t catch any extraordinary subtleties, but seeing his old friend suddenly change color, he was startled and then looked closely, scrutinizing and pondering. Before long, a sharp light flashed in his eyes, and he couldn’t help but look towards Li Hao.
Those few moves indeed had the feel of a snake threading through its teeth!
They had actually brought a glimmer of life to an otherwise certain-fatal game situation!
“Here I come…” Mulling it over for a while, Zhao Zongyuan pointed to another spot, planning to completely decapitate the dragon veins on the board without getting further entangled.
Li Hao, as if expecting this, raised his hand and pointed to another place, “The small flying corner breaks the horn.”
If the piece fell where he pointed, it would form a flying blade, cutting open a route!
Clack!
After seeing clearly, Shen Yunqing couldn’t help but slap his thigh fiercely, marveling at the brilliance of that move!
How could he have not thought of it? How could he have not seen it?!
Zhao Zongyuan’s pupils shrank slightly, and he couldn’t help but lift his head to look at Li Hao’s young face, feeling a sense of unreality at that moment.
This young and tender boy, his skills in chess were so mature and vicious?!
“Come, come, take a seat. You play now.”
Shen Yunqing braced his hands on the ground, shifting his bottom to the side, and said to Li Hao, “Let me see to what extent you can play. It doesn’t matter if you lose, but if you truly win, I’ll give you a bottle of the Drunken Wind Brew.”
“Sure,” said Li Hao.
Li Hao nodded, not standing on ceremony, for he had come here specifically for this game.
He comfortably sat down where the grass was still warm from being pressed down.
Zhao Zongyuan frowned deeply, his face becoming grave. He stared intensely at Li Hao for a moment, not occupied with exploring why the boy was so skilled at chess, but instead gathered his focus and said gravely, “Then let’s give it a try.”
Li Hao’s fingers entered the Go bowl, and his index finger and middle finger pinched a black stone and placed it on the board.
Filling in the position he had indicated earlier.
Opposite him, Zhao Zongyuan was silent as well, following suit with his moves.
The two began their real game.
In the square, numerous clan scions and Jianghu prodigies were practicing their movement techniques and fists, sweating profusely as they vied for a place in either Alpha or Beta Academy.
Yet in this corner, on the tiny chessboard of just a few square inches, fierce and insidious struggles were unfolding, with each move slicing like a knife, step by step a lethal tactic!
After a while, an aged palm trembled as it picked up a piece from the Go bowl, but after a moment of shaking, it slipped from the fingertips and fell.
Zhao Zongyuan’s face, just like those young disciples swinging their fists in the square, was covered in sweat.
The game was set.
“I… have lost,” said Zhao Zongyuan, his throat seemingly parched, his voice strained.
Shen Yunqing beside him was dumbstruck, looking at the chess game in disbelief. His own losing game had, under Li Hao’s desperate efforts, been completely overturned, reclaiming the lost ground, pressing with each step until the very end, managing to eke out a narrow win by just half a point!
Never underestimate a mere half-point lead; reversing the previously forlorn situation to such an extent was simply unbelievable!
“Senior, you have been gracious,” said Li Hao as he withdrew his hand, slightly bowing his head in respect, his expression quite serious, but once he straightened up, his demeanor relaxed again.
At the fifth rank of Chess Tao, he often played with Grandpa, but hadn’t really had a chance to compete with top players from the outside world. These two’s strength in chess seemed to be a bit inferior to Grandpa’s, probably just about at the fourth rank.
This was quite remarkable already.
After all, both elders were martial artists who still had the leisure to study this side pursuit, reaching such a level must have taken considerable effort, a clear indication of their passion.
Zhao Zongyuan let out a wry laugh, looked up at Li Hao, feeling as though he was observing a monster.
How was this Li Family’s kid’s brain constructed? Younger than even the time he had spent playing chess, yet he had won against him?
Could it be that talent was also a factor in playing chess?
“Impressive, very impressive!” praised Shen Yunqing, clicking his tongue in admiration.
Li Hao smiled and said, “That was just luck. How about, shall we have another game?”
Zhao Zongyuan was somewhat at a loss for words and said glumly, “Don’t you still have to test for your Cultivation Technique? There are not many places left in the Alpha Academy. You should secure your spot first.”
“Uh, alright,” Li Hao replied, coming back to his senses. Although he wasn’t really concerned about a spot in the Alpha Academy, to avoid future trouble, he agreed it was worth making a quick attempt.
“Then, Senior, please wait for me. I’ll be right back,” Li Hao said.
Zhao Zongyuan and Shen Yunqing looked at him with strange expressions. Why did it seem like this kid was more committed to playing chess than securing his place in the academy?
“Just make sure to wait for me,” Li Hao insisted before leaving, then ran quickly towards the middle-aged man at the center of the square.