Go: The live broadcast queen launched a gorgeous rebellion against the dog

The result Chu Jun revealed caused Yang Manjing's confident expression to freeze instantly, and she subconsciously tightened her grip on her boyfriend's hand.

Those attempts at comfort seemed so pale and powerless in the face of such facts.

Yes, with the terrifying strength of the world's number one person right now, why would he need to use the flying knives he prepared beforehand to deal with Chu Jun!

Not long ago, she and Chu Jun witnessed the entire devastating performance in the final of the Spring Orchid Cup from the commentary booth!

That relentless, ruthless crushing force, like a precision machine, continued from beginning to end, leaving no openings and giving the opponent no chance to breathe.

Since then, a clear consensus has been etched in their hearts: to defeat Rui Zhao at this moment would be no less difficult than challenging an insurmountable peak!
Today's Chess Saint Tournament is just another cold, hard testament to this cruel reality...

No special targeting is needed; a single flash of brilliance from the reigning Meijin Tengen is enough to plunge a top player into an abyss of no return within forty moves!

The gap is... breathtakingly large!
A brief, heavy silence fell between the two.

Only the light filtering through the window illuminates the dust particles floating in the air, still conveying the message of the passage of time...

"...Oh, it's alright, little glasses! The Chess Saint Tournament is a double-elimination tournament!"

"This is only the second round of the winners' bracket. The losers' bracket should fight their way back!"

After a brief silence, Yang Manjing took the lead in dispelling the heavy atmosphere.

She leaned closer, took her boyfriend's arm, and tilted her head slightly upward, looking into Chu Jun's eyes with encouragement and trust in her gaze.

"Look at Brother Sun! A few years ago, wasn't he also suppressed to the point of near death by Liu Shixian and Lei Qi?!"

"But what happened later? In the end, he seized the opportunity, won the world championship, and completely proved himself!"

"so……

"Don't get so down just because you can't take down that monster Rui Zhao right now!"

The witch's series of heartwarming words of comfort and encouraging words flowed like a warm current into Chu Jun's cold heart. However, just as he managed a slightly forced smile, another problem arose:

“I understand the logic... but Rui Zhao is just too unreasonable!”
"With her and Lei Qi on the team, I really don't know when we'll be able to win the national championship or the World Championship runner-up title..."

"Oh dear, why are you still worrying about this!"

The little witch took a step in front of Chu Jun, then stretched out her hands and lightly patted her boyfriend's cheeks:

"If I can't get it, I can't get it! I think it's fine as it is!"

"I used to think that I had to catch up with Rui Zhao and prove myself to her! But now..."

"I've also realized to some extent that I don't have the same outrageous determination and passion as Rui Zhao. Wanting to surpass that monster... I might never achieve it in my lifetime!"

At this point, Yang Manjing couldn't help but show a helpless expression quite similar to her boyfriend's, but this helplessness only lasted for a moment before being replaced by a brighter light.

A warm smile returned to her lips, and her tone became light and firm:
But life has to go on, doesn't it?

She gently shook Chu Jun's arm, as if reminding him to let it go:
"I feel that being able to play chess with you on the chessboard and do what I love is already a very happy and grateful thing! Why do I have to be so obsessed with winning the championship?"

“Take Brother Gu, for example. He’s never won a single professional championship, but he and Sister Wang are living happily together!”

Seeing his girlfriend chatting with him about a bunch of loving couples in the chess world, the naturally love-struck guy's cheeks flushed slightly, as if he had suddenly switched from his minor worries to a feeling of sweetness.

The little witch continued speaking.

She stretched out her finger and gently tapped Chu Jun's chest, then tapped herself, and then extended her index and middle fingers, making a gesture representing "two people":

"Besides, look at Rui Zhao or Lei Qi, no matter how powerful they are, they are still just one person—but we are two!"
"As long as we stay together, encourage each other, and persevere in practicing and researching, we can make the most of every day!"

"I refuse to believe it! I can't defeat strong opponents like I did in last year's National Masters Tournament and Changqi Cup again?!"

Seeing the unwavering confidence and unreserved support in Yang Manjing's eyes, the last trace of gloom in Chu Jun's heart was completely dispelled.

He nodded vigorously, a genuine smile of relief finally appearing on his face:
"Yes! You're right! There are two of us!"

"Hehe! It's good that you understand!"
"I'll participate in the Chess Saint Tournament next time, and we'll go find Rui Zhao's mahjong together... wait?"

Seeing that her little whiny boy had finally stopped worrying, the little witch immediately reached out and patted Chu Jun's head, preparing to offer a few more words of encouragement.

But when her team's captain was mentioned, her gaze unconsciously swept across the rest area. A hint of surprise and confusion flashed in her clear eyes:

"Speaking of Rui Zhao, didn't she finish the review a long time ago? Why hasn't she come back yet?"

"Logically speaking, she always values ​​her time, so she shouldn't be wasting time in the chess room!"

Uh...you mean this?

When his girlfriend asked about this, Xiao Chu, a ninth-dan player, answered truthfully:

"Just as the debriefing was finished, she was about to leave. But then, out of nowhere, the official came over, stopped Rui Zhao, and said he had something to discuss..."

"That's what I think..."

"He looks really unwell..."

...

...

"...Shangguan Jiuduan, you don't look too well... Are you feeling unwell?"

...Hmm...

I just finished watching your massacre of Chu Jun, how could I possibly look good!

Meanwhile, a corner of the Luojing Suyunshan Hotel.

Before he could even speak, the bright and beautiful leader of his own country asked about his current physical condition with some concern. At this moment, Shangguan Sheng couldn't help but complain to himself.

In the previous semi-final game of the Spring Orchid Cup, Guan Ye was forced into a draw by his opponent in just 62 moves, and he thought the gap was already big enough.

But today, the Master Tianyuan directly unleashed a move that Ni Jue had recently told him about, the "on-the-spot forging of a blade," and Shangguan Sheng realized that even in that game, Rui Zhao might have held back...

What does it mean to say, "Comparing people is a recipe for disaster, comparing goods is a recipe for disaster"?

However, these words could not be said to the other party's face.

"...Ah! No, no! I'm perfectly fine!"

Faced with the concern of the world's most powerful killer, Shi Yiguan forced a smile and said:

"My complexion has always been like this. I don't really like to smile, so sometimes my complexion looks a bit pale, which is normal..."

"Is this, like this?"

Rui Zhao tilted her head slightly, seemingly still a little confused by the official's words.

However, the number one person in the world never liked to dwell too much on matters outside the game. Seeing that the other party had said that everything was fine, Miss Zhaojun did not delay any longer and went straight to the point:

"……then……

"Shangguan Jiuduan, is there something you want to tell me?"

Finally, they got to the point, but Shangguan Sheng felt his neck getting hot again—after all, today's topic was not exactly something to be proud of!
Asking someone to hold back is something Shangguan Sheng has done in his more than ten years of dominating the chess world—no, in his entire life, he has never done it!

Therefore, he was quite resistant to this battle plan during the previous meeting of the fermented bean curd group.

But once the arrow is shot, there is no turning back.

Having failed to refuse everyone's earnest requests back then, Shi Yiguan naturally has no reason to back down now.

He practically forced himself to take another deep breath, holding it for several seconds before finally speaking in as calm a tone as possible, despite the embarrassment that could melt a person:
"Um... this, Rui Zhao..."

The opening was the same old greeting, but it seemed as if the speaker had exhausted all their strength to speak.

He paused, his gaze drifting vaguely to the pattern of the carpet beneath his feet:
"The advice you gave me during the Spring Orchid Cup, I thought about it very carefully after I got back... It was really, really insightful!"
"To be honest, I was a bit rough around the edges in the opening and mid-game, and there are still some obvious shortcomings! I really have to thank you for pointing that out!"

"Don't worry! I will definitely calm down and work harder in the future, focusing on these areas! I will strive to make up for my weaknesses as soon as possible and narrow the gap between myself and the top players!"

"Really? That's great!"

Even though the official's words were clearly somewhat stiff, Rui Zhao's bright eyes immediately lit up when she heard that the other party was willing to "admit his mistakes and correct them":

"Senior Brother Ni has always said that you, Shangguan 9-dan, are a very diligent, dedicated, and persevering Go player!"

"I knew that as long as I pointed out the key points to you, you would definitely work even harder, Shangguan Jiuduan!"

After hearing these words, Shangguan Sheng suddenly felt his face burning.

The official had managed to maintain a composed expression while he was being evasive. But now, being praised for his "diligence" by the famous chess fanatic, even though he knew the other party meant no harm, couldn't help but sound sarcastic.

His Adam's apple bobbed almost imperceptibly, and he unconsciously rubbed his hands together on his knees before gathering his thoughts and continuing:
"...But, Rui Zhao."

"I've always wanted to have a good endgame match with you, but improving my opening and mid-game skills will probably require a long period of honing and research."

"And now I'm already in my thirties, I'm afraid I might not live to see that day again, which is a bit of a worry for me..."

"So, I was wondering if we could find a compromise so that we could have a relatively fair endgame match? That would fulfill my wish!"

Shangguan Sheng felt that his "explicit" remarks were already as blatant as they could be, and to say anything more would be quite uncivilized.

however--

"...Yes, I understand!"
"Actually... I've always been looking forward to learning endgame techniques from you, Master Shangguan!"

When Shi Zhaojun looked back at him very seriously, she seemed to deeply empathize with Shi Yiguan's feelings!
She even leaned forward slightly, her clear eyes gleaming with an knowing light that said, "Just as I expected, exactly what I anticipated."

"That's why I've always emphasized..."

"Shangguan Jiudan, you need to strengthen your practice in the opening and middle game!"
"Otherwise...wouldn't all that skill in the endgame be wasted?!"

"...

"...Sorry, Rui Zhao, you didn't understand at all..."

"I didn't understand a thing!!"

"Huh?!"

"W-So that's not what you meant?!" (End of Chapter)