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

"Good morning, everyone. We are now bringing you the latest sports news."

"Yesterday afternoon, Beijing time, in the second match of the 'Yong Zhao Jun Wei' Go Special Challenge Tournament held in Singapore, facing the challenge of 'Four-Crown King' Lei Qi 9-dan, Yong Shi Zhao Jun Rui Zhao 9-dan once again won by a large margin in the middle game! She demonstrated an extraordinary level of Go skills."

"In this challenge, Lei Qi 9-dan qualified as the champion of the first 'Nanhai Cup' World Go Masters Tournament. In the first 60 moves of the game, Lei Qi played skillfully, at one point suppressing Rui Zhao's AI win rate to only 6.9%."

"However, the turning point of the battle came on move 62. Rui Zhao decisively invaded the lower part of the black formation. Lei Qi tried to launch a fierce attack on the white pieces, but Rui Zhao successfully disrupted the situation."

"In the ensuing chaotic battle, Rui Zhao accurately captured the key black stones in the center, ultimately securing the victory. This was Rui Zhao's second complete victory in the special match with a handicap, following her quick win against South Korean 9-dan Ryu Se-hyun two weeks prior."

"In two matches, Rui Zhao, a 9-dan professional Go player, defeated two top players ranked third and second by third-party ratings, demonstrating absolute dominance even when given a handicap of white. As the tournament's popularity continues to rise, it has also sparked a petition wave on overseas social media platforms."

"【Does DeepBrain dare to accept the challenge?】(#DeepBrainDare) topped the trending charts in many countries, with netizens flooding the comments section and tagging Musk, urging his AI to step in and take on the challenge."

"But DeepBrain has remained silent so far. It is estimated that the 'Eternal Might' special challenge may still need to be held for some time."

According to the statement released at the previous media briefing, Chinese player Yang Manjing has secured a challenger's right through five consecutive wins in this Nongshim Cup, but this right will be realized after the Nongshim Cup concludes.

"It is expected that the next person to challenge Rui Zhao will be the champion of the THK Blitz Chess Tournament in Japan, which is about to officially begin."

"Because this competition is the first domestic tournament for Uesaka Rei 8-dan, a popular rising star in Japanese Go, who has returned to Japan after relocating, and it will also determine the first Japanese Go player to participate in the special handicap challenge, it has received enthusiastic attention from the Japanese people and the media around the world."

"This station will continue to bring you the latest updates on the event..."

……

"...Um, Jingjing, look!"

"You were on TV too!"

January 24, 2028, the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, 7:30 a.m., in the breakfast restaurant of a hotel in Pengze City, Huaxia.

Upon hearing his girlfriend mentioned in the morning news report, Xiao Chu Jiuduan, who was having breakfast with Miss Witch, suddenly put down his spoon and excitedly nudged Yang Manjing, who was sipping milk beside him, with his elbow. His voice was filled with undisguised joy and pride.

—Well, even though there are only 29 days in the twelfth lunar month this year and tomorrow is New Year's Eve, Xiao Chu, a 9-dan player, is having breakfast at the hotel today, which is quite unusual.

The reason is very simple: Miss Witch is going to spend the New Year in Pengze this year.

Currently, the relationship between this golden couple in the chess world is very close to the "final step".

Last year, Chu Jun spent the Spring Festival in Zhenze. So, to reciprocate Chu Jun's visit last year, Yang's parents sent their daughter to Pengze this year to spend the Spring Festival with Chu Jun's family. That's why, this morning, Chu Jun, a 9-dan player, couldn't wait to rush to the hotel where Miss Witch was staying to have breakfast with her.

"...Little Glasses, calm down! Don't make a fuss."

Upon hearing this, Yang Manjing put down her milk glass, picked up a napkin, and elegantly wiped her mouth, her voice carrying a deliberately feigned calmness:
"The one who deserves our respect... in the end, is Rui Zhao!"

"I originally thought that if Lei Qi were to go first, he would be able to cause her some trouble, but now it seems... tsk tsk tsk!"

"The whole world seems to be worshipping her!"

At this point, the witch gave a wry smile, but quickly rallied and said:
"But... whatever!"

"It's great to have the opportunity to challenge her!"

After speaking, Yang Manjing's gaze lingered on Chu Jun's face for a few seconds, as if she hesitated for a moment, before she asked softly:
"Oh, right..."

"Our chess practice schedule is still so full during the Chinese New Year holiday... Is that alright?"

As Yang Manjing said, although their relationship was almost finalized, she still asked Chu Jun to fill their training schedule as much as possible during the Spring Festival, in order to deliver a good performance in the challenge match after the New Year.

"no problem!"

Hearing his girlfriend's concern, Xiao Chu, a ninth-dan martial artist, immediately patted his chest, his tone firm and confident:
"The New Year is about doing happy and joyful things. I feel so happy practicing chess with you, Jingjing!"
"Moreover, now that Lei Qi is the only monster left in the Chinese chess world, I have to keep striving for the championship so that I can at least have a national championship title when I hold my wedding banquet in the second half of the year so that the emcee can remember me!"

"Otherwise... I'm afraid I'll become the second Brother Li!"

Although he has won two world runner-up titles and several domestic runner-up titles, Li Zhaokai has never won a championship in any domestic or international competition. The nickname "runner-up specialist" is a well-known joke among the sports community.

However, this isn't the most popular meme about him anymore...

"Wow! You're much better than Brother Li!"

Speaking of the Shandong team's star player, Yang Manjing lowered her voice and said with a hint of gossip and sympathy:
"The fact that he sat at the same table with the kids when he went home for the Chinese New Year last year is now common knowledge throughout the Chinese chess world. He must have felt incredibly frustrated!"
"I wonder if his situation this year... is any better?"

...

...

"...That's enough, that's enough!"
"Come on! Zhaokai, come down and eat!"

January 25, 2028, the 1th day of the twelfth lunar month, Lunar New Year's Eve.

At 6 p.m., in the old courtyard of the Li family in Pingnan County, Shandong Province.

As dusk settled, the main hall of the old house was brightly lit, filled with warmth. The air was filled with the aroma of the New Year's Eve dinner, the smell of firecrackers, and the lively greetings among relatives.

On the main wall of the main room, a newly hung, meticulously framed chess manual stood out prominently under the light.

Seeing that her son had finished mounting the chess manual, Li Zhaokai's mother hurriedly called him down. Li Zhaokai carefully climbed down the ladder, his movements clearly clumsy.

"...Okay! Okay, okay!"
"It's framed so beautifully!"

Li Zhaokai's second uncle helped his nephew up, while looking up at the chess manual on the wall and praising it.

Seeing her son's feet touch the ground, Li's mother invited Li Zhaokai to sit down at the main table. Turning to the relatives gathered around the large round table, she proudly said:
"I told you before, my Zhaokai is actually quite outstanding! But there's nothing we can do if he can't beat that Empress Zhao!"
"Look at those two challenge matches she just played in Singapore—that girl could win so easily even if she gave the opponent the first move!"
"It's already quite an achievement that my Zhaokai could withstand a hundred moves from her!"

Upon hearing this, the relatives nodded in agreement, their faces showing understanding and even approval.

"Yes, yes! Rui Zhao is incredibly skilled; he's on the news every day!" "If Zhao Kai can last a hundred moves, he's definitely a top-tier expert!"

"Brother Zhaokai, could you help me get Rui Zhao's autograph next time?! I admire her so much!"

"Come on, come on! Zhao Kai! Let me toast you! It hasn't been easy for you!"

Just as the relatives were echoing his sentiments, a cousin of the same generation stood up and warmly raised his glass to Li Zhaokai.

"Thank you bro!"

Li Zhaokai quickly picked up the glass in front of him and drank the strong liquor in one gulp.

The spicy liquid slid down his throat, bringing a burning sensation, but it made the captain of the Shandong team feel exceptionally comfortable.

He put down his wine glass, his gaze sweeping over his family and friends who were all smiles and full of approval and kindness towards him. Then he recalled the humiliating scene of being relegated to the children's table for dinner on New Year's Eve last year... It felt like a lifetime ago!

I'm so angry...

We've finally made it through!
For a moment, Li Zhaokai, who was not yet thirty, was also filled with mixed feelings.
This dramatic change stems primarily from two points.

Firstly, the attitudes of my parents and relatives have changed.

Last year, when a group of China's top male chess players were defeated by Rui Zhao, a storm of public opinion swept the country: "National chess masters can't beat female chess players!"

In competitive sports, if men can't beat women, then China is truly a unique case, even worse than the national football team. They're practically useless on the sidelines. What face do they have to sit at the table?!

So, without any explanation, Lao Li was taken to the children's table. The frustration and pressure he felt are still fresh in his memory.

however……

After the near-miraculous performances of Eien Sojun over the past year and a half, and the powerful rise of the Japanese prodigy Uesaka Rei... the mainstream public opinion has completely changed!
People are beginning to realize that in the game of Go, it seems that men may indeed be unable to beat women!

Didn't the little witch also catch a bunch of Japanese and Korean bean curd at the Nongshim Cup? And that Uesaka Rei is clearly the future leader of Japan!
The reason why the male national champions couldn't beat Rui Zhao wasn't because they were incompetent... but because the eternal Zhaojun was too overpowered!

This shift in understanding immediately created the prerequisites for Li Zhaokai to return to the main table.

Secondly...

This year, Li Zhaokai also kept a close eye on things.

Thinking of this, Li Zhaokai's gaze involuntarily fell once again on the meticulously framed chess manual on the wall—a game he played against Rui Zhao during last year's Chess Immortal Tournament. Above the manual, a line of elegant yet powerful handwriting was clearly printed:

[Li Jiudan's performance was outstanding; it's clear he's worked very hard. We hope he continues his excellent work!]

Signed: [Rui Zhao]

And this... is precisely the "talisman" that Li Zhaokai carefully prepared this year!
In that chess tournament, facing the world's killing god, Li Zhaokai put in all his strength!
By guessing that White would take a risky move in the opening with a large "Ni Dao" variation, and with precise calculations and tenacious fighting spirit, he actually managed to hold off Rui Zhao's overwhelming advance. When the game reached the hundredth move, the AI ​​software showed that his winning percentage was still 13.1%, and he successfully won the "reward" given by the Queen!
However, Li Zhaokai, who received the "lower reward," had no intention of collecting the 100,000 yuan prize money. Instead, he cautiously made a request through Zeng Gou—hoping that Rui Zhao could write some words of praise and encouragement on the game record as a substitute. His goal was to have the opportunity to sit at the head table again with dignity today!

And the final result... was even better than he had expected!
In the eyes of the Chinese people today, Wang Zhaojun is an extraordinary figure!

Not only did he receive numerous official honors, but he even received a separate congratulatory telegram from the Chinese government at the national level when he won his seventh individual championship! He was treated like a national hero!
Her personal endorsement, like a golden plaque bestowed by the emperor, instantly restored Li Zhaokai's reputation.

Even this signed chess manual was solemnly framed and hung on the main wall of the main room, becoming the biggest honor and topic of conversation for the Li family on New Year's Eve this year.

hey hey...

If we had known that siding with the Queen would be so good, why were we, a bunch of bastards, bothering to set up an encirclement network back then?
Last year, I even had to sit at a children's table!
Recalling his impulsive act of following Bian Da's squad leader in opposing Zhao, Li Zhaokai couldn't help but curse himself inwardly for being such a fool back then.

Being the queen's dog is truly the greatest honor!
This thought, though somewhat darkly humorous, perfectly reflects his state of mind at that moment...

"Brother Zhaokai!"

Just then, a clear voice interrupted Li Zhaokai's thoughts.

He looked in the direction of the sound and saw his cousin, who was studying at Peking University. The girl's face was filled with admiration and excitement.
"To be personally approved by Rui Zhao, Brother Zhao Kai, you are truly remarkable!"
"You know, she's already a big name in the history of world sports! She might even be the greatest athlete of all time!"

……ah?!
"A figure who ranks among the greatest in the history of world sports"?!

"Greatest athlete of all time"?!
That's a bit of an exaggeration!
Lao Li found it difficult to nod in agreement to such flattery.

Despite the arduous efforts Lao Li made over the past year to be able to eat at the table again, he still knew that one shouldn't get too carried away.

The joke about him eating at home with his kids is already widely known in the industry. If he continues to brag about it, he might create new public opinion issues.

Thinking of this, Li Zhaokai quickly waved his hand and tried his best to give an objective and fair evaluation:

"Ah... Rui Zhao is undoubtedly the greatest Go player in history, that's for sure!"
"Moreover, in terms of absolute dominance, it is hard to find any other project that can match it..."

"But in the context of world sports history, Go is probably at a disadvantage because it's a niche sport! It's harder for it to gain international recognition..."

"……what?!"

My cousin was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, and then a look of surprise appeared on her face, as if to say, "You didn't know that?"

"But Sports Illustrated just published an article today... and that's exactly what it said!"

"...

"……Eh?!"

Lao Li was stunned for a long time before she began to understand what her cousin meant:
Sports Illustrated?!

"You mean the one in North America?!?!" (End of Chapter)