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

"……Why!

"Looks like only Li-chan made it into the top 16 this time!"

The athletes' rest area at the Zhigao Junrui Hotel in Zhigao City, Jiangsu Province.

December 16, 2027, 6:30 PM.

After reviewing the newly announced list of the top 16 for this year's Dream Lily Cup, Takuya Ichijo, who was leaning back on the sofa, sighed with a mixture of helplessness and relief.

It sounded like talking to oneself, yet also like speaking to the person opposite:
"Looks like... I'm getting old too!"

"Lord Boguang!"

As she said, after the brutal elimination of the first two rounds, only the young heroine Uesaka Rei remains among the nine players representing Japan!

If Uesaka Rei's solo run to the quarterfinals of the Spring Orchid Cup a few months ago was partly due to her opponent's underestimation of her and a bit of luck in her own moments of brilliance... then the young master of Japan today has long since shed the naivety of a rising star.

She achieved an impressive record of nine wins and three losses in the highly competitive China Weiqi League, and also successfully reached the top 16 in both the Tongge Cup and LIG Cup, two world-class tournaments.

Even more astonishing is that, just half a month ago, she overpowered all the other competitors in the South Korean Grand Presidential Tournament, winning the championship and advancing to the eighth dan!

In this year's Dream Lily Cup, she first defeated the rising star Qu Jundu in the first round, and just now she defeated the strong opponent Cai Shuang 9-dan, and proudly advanced to the top 16!

From any perspective, the young master of Japan has firmly established himself among the world's top Go players.

On the contrary, Ichijo Takuya, who holds the titles of "Kisei" and "Meijin", was defeated by Sun Yi in the round of 32 and was eliminated in the second round.

This sense of disparity is hard not to evoke feelings of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing both regret and reflection). As a pillar of the middle generation in Japan, his lament about "getting old" is not entirely self-deprecation or an excuse.

Upon hearing this, Hiroaki Shindo, who was sitting opposite the Japanese Go master, couldn't help but smile slightly.

This "26th Honinbo Hiromitsu," who once dominated the Japanese Go world for over a decade, was eliminated by Nie Yunyi after a hard-fought battle today. At this moment, his face carried the composure of someone who had seen it all and a hint of wise advice from someone who had been there before.
"Ichijo, don't say that so early!"

"I was still holding the title of 'Chess Saint' when I was 32! You've won the World Championship, you can't be worse than me, can you?"

"Please don't tease me, Lord Hiromitsu. Rei-chan is really coming on strong!"

Ichijo Takuya gave a wry smile, his gaze somewhat complicated:
"The year after next... Li-chan will be able to compete for the titles of [Kisei] and [Meijin]!"

"Even my Honinbo and Tengen will face her direct attack next year!"

"Although I was actually quite looking forward to Li-chan taking the lead, it's happened so early..."

"It still leaves me with a somewhat uneasy feeling!"

Hiroaki Shindo was perfectly aware of the meaning behind those words!

After being "fostered" in South Korea for several years, the young master of Japan, who is now quite likely to become the strongest Go player in Japan, is about to return to Japan to take on the mantle! The transfer to the Japan Go Association is scheduled for January next year.

After transferring her nationality, Uesaka Rei was no longer able to participate in South Korean domestic competitions, but instead regained her eligibility to compete in Japanese domestic Go tournaments. It's highly likely that a new champion will soon emerge for one of Japan's seven major Go tournament titles!
However, although Uesaka Rei can participate in the one-day title preliminaries next year, the round-robin stage of the two-day tournament requires two years to advance to obtain the right to challenge for the title. Therefore, no matter how strong Uesaka is, she will only have the opportunity to challenge for the major title in the two-day tournament the year after next.

However, after hearing Takuya Ichijo's words, which were full of serious prediction, Hiroaki Shindo showed a hint of surprise.

Looking at his junior with a wry smile, a meaningful smile gradually appeared on his lips.

"Hmm...so you didn't know?"

"Hmm? What do you know?"

The old rabbit was puzzled for a moment, and blinked his eyes with a slightly confused look.

Seeing that Yitsuba was completely unaware of the situation, Hiroaki Shindo's smile deepened:

"that……

"If Uesaka is going to challenge for the Honinbo title... it'll probably be the year after next!"

"Eh?"

The old rascal opened his mouth, his brows furrowing, and then, in an extremely tactful tone, reminded the honorary Honinbo who had won the title eleven times:
"Lord Boguang...

"The Honinbo title has been downgraded to a one-day tournament... for several years now!"

Hiroaki Shindo simply maintained that inscrutable smile, as if he hadn't heard the quiet reminder about the change in the competition format, and instead turned his gaze to the other side of the rest area.

There were several reporters interviewing a short-haired girl, who answered calmly and confidently.

Just as the Japanese Go master was becoming increasingly confused, the young master suddenly changed the subject, answering in a relaxed tone:
"Ichijo, you need to know: Uesaka, she..."

"They're really popular in the country right now!"

"what?"

Takuya stared blankly at Shindo, then at Rei Uesaka in the distance. His mind was in turmoil for a long time before a sudden flash of inspiration struck him!
His eyes widened suddenly, and he almost cried out in surprise:

"...Eh?! Masaka?!"

"...Yes, that's right!"
"It's that 'Masaka'!"

Hiroaki Shindo nodded vigorously with satisfaction, his smile growing even brighter.

Finally understanding, Takuya Ichijo's tense expression instantly relaxed, replaced by an irrepressible smile of relief.

The self-deprecating remarks about "getting old" and the worries about possibly losing the title quickly seemed to have been somewhat overshadowed by this sudden good news.

"It seems... I can hold onto the title of Honinbo for one more term!"
"It's all thanks to Uesaka... Ah! And Rui Zhao too!"

Hiroaki Shindo nodded, clearly agreeing with Ichijo's statement.

The return of the Honinbo tournament to a two-day format appears to be due to Rei Uesaka's immense popularity in Japan. However, both the increase in the number of Go enthusiasts in Japan and Uesaka's rapid progress are undoubtedly attributable to the universally acknowledged Go goddess.

However, while agreeing with the younger generation, the youngest member also offered a small encouragement:
"I told you not to be so down!"
"What do you mean by 'holding it for one more term'? Look at Lin Ruixin, who's about your age, his grades have been really good lately!"
"He's made it to the round of 16 again in the Dream Lily Cup!"

Upon hearing the name "Lin Ruixin," Takuya Ichijo's smile faded slightly.

He paused for a second or two before speaking slowly, his voice lower than before:
"Lin Ruixin..."

"I used to think that compared to him, although I was not as talented, I was still the one who could calm down better."

"But now it seems that's not necessarily true..."

"...Unfortunately, it's still too late!"

Hiroaki Shindo suddenly let out a long sigh, interrupting one of Takuya's thoughts:

"I don't understand it either: he didn't seize the opportunity to work hard when he was young, but now he's working incredibly hard every day!"
"Forget about getting revenge on Rui Zhao, even achieving anything is incredibly difficult! I really don't understand what he's thinking..."

“Uh… Lord Boguang.”

Hearing this, the old rascal couldn't help but complain:
"Didn't you just say... thirty isn't old? Why are you treating Lin Ruixin differently?"

"Uh... cough um!"
"Um... it's about time. Let's go to the auditorium together to see Uesaka's next draw!"
"I'm really hoping that Uesaka will get a good draw and make it to the World Championship quarterfinals again!"

...

...

However, just half an hour later, Hiroaki Shindo learned that his little wish had been shattered...

Following the draw ceremony, the eight matchups for the Round of 16 in this year's Dream Lily Cup have been determined, as follows:

Lei Qi versus Sui Jiangyong

[Liu Shixian] versus [Li Zhaokai]

[An Mingjiao] versus [Chu Jun]

[Shangguan Sheng] versus [Peng Wendong]

[Xiong Siyi] versus [Nie Yunyi]

Zhuang Zheng to Ji Qiuquan

Lin Ruixin versus Sun Yi

[Uesaka Rei] vs. [Rui Zhao]

...

...

"Oh my god!"

"This is just too wonderful!!!"

December 18th, the day of the Round of 12 matches in the Dream Lily Cup.

At 12:20 PM, in the room of Rei Uesaka at the Chigao Junrui Hotel.

Under the soft light, Uesaka Rei stood in front of the dressing mirror, adjusting her well-tailored light blue dress one last time.

Looking at herself in the mirror, Kosaka couldn't help but let out a small shout, and even her fair cheeks flushed slightly with excitement.

The young master of Japan was so excited for a reason—today she was facing no ordinary match!

This marks her first encounter with her idol in a competition in a year and a half! It's also their first clash on the world stage!

Although Uesaka Rei knew better than anyone that, facing this unbeatable and unfathomable world number one, her hope of reaching the quarterfinals of the World Championship again was essentially a pipe dream...

But so what?!
Results... nothing compares to the joy of meeting that legendary beauty, Wang Zhaojun, on the highest stage of the competition!
Just thinking about sitting across from her, feeling her presence as she places her pieces, and listening to the crisp sound of the pieces striking the board makes Kosaka's heart race!
not to mention……

Recently, that little conspicuous bag has been acting all close to Sister Rui Zhao...

Uesaka Rei gently puffed out the corners of her mouth, a hint of defiance flashing in her eyes.

I must show Sister Rui Zhao with my actions that I am her number one fan among the new generation!

With this in mind, Kogami took a deep breath, straightened her slender back, and nodded vigorously at herself in the mirror, as if confirming some kind of determination.

Without further hesitation, she turned around, picked up her phone, opened the door, and with light and firm steps, prepared to go to the chess room to find Rui Zhao.

However, she had just stepped out of the room when she suddenly stopped in her tracks!
The excitement and anticipation on his face froze instantly, replaced by utter astonishment and disgust!
Because just around the corner of the corridor not far from her door, a figure she absolutely did not want to see was passing by her door, heading towards the chess room!
The other person clearly noticed her immediately as well, and when their eyes met, time seemed to stand still!
After a suffocating silence, two gasps, filled with surprise and a sense of the unseen, shattered the tranquility of the corridor almost simultaneously:

"A small, conspicuous bag?!"

"A short Japanese man?!"

The moment the words left their mouths, they both clearly saw the undisguised disgust on each other's faces!
Clearly, they were extremely dissatisfied with the "honorific" address the other party had given them!

Little Nie Miao's fur instantly bristled, and her bright eyes widened in surprise:
"Who are you calling an eye-catching bag???"

Kogami Saka was not to be outdone, and retorted in an extremely forceful manner:

"My height is perfectly standard in Japan, okay?! I'm not short at all!"

She straightened her chest, trying to make herself look taller.

But the well-tailored dress made her slightly thin frame look rather comical, highlighting her "bluffing" at that moment.

Seeing that they couldn't see eye to eye, the tension between the two instantly escalated!
Uesaka Rei puffed up her cheeks in anger, while Nie Yunyi stiffened his neck and glared fiercely. It looked like a fierce "pre-match trash talk" was about to erupt in the corridor!
However... perhaps subconsciously they were all thinking about the upcoming match...

After a few seconds of tense staring at each other, the two surprisingly snorted coldly in unison and then abruptly turned their heads away!
Immediately afterwards, the two started walking almost simultaneously towards the chess room! Their movements were perfectly synchronized, as if they had rehearsed it!
But for these two chess players, who hate each other and have completely incompatible personalities, walking side by side is one of the most awkward things in the world!

After walking a few steps, the two couldn't help but glare at each other again. However, their eyes met for less than a second before they quickly looked away as if burned by each other's gazes, letting out a disdainful snort from their noses. The atmosphere was so awkward that it would make anyone dig a three-bedroom, two-living-room house with their toes!

Finally, Uesaka Rei upheld the spirit of "men step aside," stopped in her tracks, slightly raised her delicate chin, and gestured to the other person in an almost condescending manner—you go first.

Nie Yunyi was extremely dissatisfied with the other party's condescending attitude, as if he were dismissing something annoying! But he was still able to control his emotions a little better than he had been a year ago, when he was a "firecracker" who would explode at the slightest provocation.

"……snort!"

After deliberately letting out a disdainful snort, Nie Yunyi strode forward aggressively!

Looking at Nie Yunyi's slightly stiff back, Uesaka Rei curled her lip in disdain.

...Tsk!

This conspicuous little guy looks quite respectable in a suit, but once he gets moving, he's a complete lunatic!

If we run into him in the next competition... I'll definitely teach him a lesson again!
Lijiang silently grumbled at the other person for a while before feeling a little better.

She was about to take another step when her gaze inadvertently swept over the smooth carpet beneath her feet.

On the carpet, which had been empty just moments before, lay a red purse ornament embroidered with words.

……Um?

Was it that small, conspicuous bag that fell off?

Reisaka's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, but she still bent down and picked up the purse.

It has a velvety feel to the touch, and the front is embroidered with a few delicate characters in silver thread.

"'You were born before I was born'?"

The young lord of Japan subconsciously read aloud the embroidered content on the purse pendant:
"...What does this mean???" (End of Chapter)