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

"Ninth Dan Liu..."

"Huh? What's wrong?"

"That game of chess yesterday..."

Are you sure you didn't release water?

February 6, 2028, 8:00 AM, Dongjiang City, Huaxia, Dongjiang Hotel breakfast restaurant.

Lei Qi, who had just brought the food tray to the other side, couldn't help but ask the South Korean captain, who had already been eliminated, a question.

The reason he asked that question is quite simple:
Ryu Se-hyeon, the South Korean captain, just defeated Japan's vice-captain, Ueno Toraichiro 9-dan, in the first match of the third stage of the Nongshim Cup two days ago.

However, just one day later, facing the challenge from Chu Jun, a stalwart of the Chinese Go community, this South Korean Go player, who once dominated the Nongshim Cup and was hailed as the "God of Nongshim," unexpectedly lost!
Throughout the game, Liu Shixian did not display the suffocating dominance and almost obsessive determination to win that he usually showed in the Nongshim Cup, his "absolute home ground".

His moves seemed to have lost some of the sharpness and pressure of the past, and gained an indescribable calmness.

Ultimately, thanks to his outstanding performance and thorough pre-match preparation, Chu Jun fought hard to defeat Liu Shixian, securing a crucial victory! This also marked the first time in the nearly 30-year history of the Nongshim Cup that the South Korean team finished last!
This result is a great disappointment for the South Korean team, which has created countless glories in the Nongshim Cup, and even more unimaginable for Yoo Se-hyun personally!

Although Liu Shixian's form has indeed declined from its peak recently, while Chu Jun's strength is on the rise, the result of this game is not entirely unexpected.

Lei Qi, who had been eliminated by Liu Shixian three times in the Nongshim Cup and knew his opponent's almost insane desire to win and terrifying dominance in the Nongshim Cup, found it hard to connect Liu Shixian's performance in yesterday's game with the "God of Nongshim" who was like a pillar of strength in the Nongshim Cup in his memory!
The oppressive aura that had kept all opponents on their toes until the very last moment seemed to have vanished abruptly, not at all like a natural decline in strength. Therefore, Lei Qi, who had bumped into the other party at the breakfast restaurant this morning, couldn't help but approach him and ask the question that had been nagging at him.

However, the young master of the Liu family clearly had some objections to the speculation about Xiao Lei, a ninth-dan player.

Upon hearing this, he blinked a few times, then raised his eyebrows high, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes:
"...Huh? Why would you say that, Raiki 9-dan?!"

"This is a complete and utter slander!"

His tone was resolute, seemingly carrying an unquestionable denial.

But the moment he finished speaking, the corners of his mouth involuntarily curved upwards into a tiny arc:

"But...if I really have to say..."

"Since I'm not going to win the championship anyway, it's not surprising that I'm not as focused as I usually am in this Nongshim Cup."

"Why not focus on the upcoming Three Joys Cup..."

Young Master Liu meant that he had no chance of winning against the world's number one player, so it was understandable that he didn't have a strong desire to win.

Upon hearing this reason, Lei Qi interrupted, twitching his eyebrows:

"Hey hey... I already know the Sanshuang Cup has been postponed to the end of March!"
"There are still two months left! You're still pretending!"

"Ah! How could I have forgotten about that!"

Liu Shixian slammed his hand on the table, letting out a short, startled cry, as if he had truly forgotten about the matter:
"Sorry, sorry! I'll come up with another reason!"

"..."

Seeing the other party's nonchalant attitude, Xiao Lei, a ninth-dan player, was speechless for a moment!

As the two discussed: At the request of the Dongying Go Association, and after consultation among China, Japan, and South Korea... the Sanshuang Cup World Go Masters Tournament, which usually takes place in mid-March, has been postponed to the end of March this year!

As for the reason... it's simple and capricious!
According to the usual schedule, after the Nongshim Cup, the playoffs of the Chinese Weiqi League and the best-of-seven match of the Japanese Kisei Tournament would typically take place. The Sanshuang Cup would then follow, with the timing perfectly aligned.

The problem is that, in order to express their gratitude and support for Rui Zhao's contributions to the world of Go, the Dongying Go Association has decided to have Japan's top player, Ichijo Takuya 9-dan, replace Rui Zhao throughout the playoffs of the China Go League!
However, the period of the Chinese Weiqi League playoffs usually coincides with the time of the Japanese Kisei Tournament. If the best-of-seven Kisei Tournament in Japan proceeds as scheduled, Takuya Ichijo will inevitably be unable to attend! Therefore, the Japanese Go Association has proposed that this year's Sansou Cup be postponed appropriately!

Normally speaking, adjusting the schedule of international tournaments to accommodate players from one country—and not even from that country—is simply reckless and even absurd!
However, as soon as this proposal was put forward, China immediately responded, hoping that South Korea would consider it.

South Korea, which had made mistakes at the Asian Games two years ago, needed an opportunity to show its sincerity. Even though adjusting the events was troublesome, it still agreed to comply.

There's no way around it; the entire world of Go rests on Zhao Tianhou's shoulders. Who would dare not give her team some face?
Taking advantage of someone's closed-door training and intense AI battle to sabotage their former team in the Chinese Weiqi League, do they have any shame?
And so... the dust has settled!
This year's Sanshuang Cup has been postponed to the end of March. Correspondingly, the remaining games of the best-of-seven Dongying Kisei Tournament will be held after the Chinese Weiqi League playoffs. The Huaxia Tianyuan Tournament and the South Korean GS Quick Chess Tournament, which are usually held in April, have been moved to mid-March after the end of the Huaxia Weiqi League playoffs.

The plan was to officially announce this after the Nongshim Cup concluded. However, as the prized student of the Go Association president, Lei Qi naturally knew the inside story beforehand.

Now, Liu Shixian is using such a clumsy excuse to fob him off, and he's even trying to "find another reason," which leaves him speechless.

"...Hey, hey." Lei Qi's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible frustration and dissatisfaction as he stared directly at Liu Shixian:
"Didn't you say...you knew you had no chance? Why are you so unwilling to give me a chance?"

"But what if you lose?"
"Are we really going to invite her out?!"

Young Master Liu's expression remained calm and composed.
"This is not good news for her plans."

Lei Qi was taken aback upon hearing this and was speechless for a moment.

Indeed, Rui Zhao went to great lengths to portray himself as completely extraordinary through the special challenge match to force the AI ​​to fight. The reason he remained in the Nongshim Cup team was simply out of national responsibility and collective honor.

If they have to play each other in the Nongshim Cup again, even though it's not because of Rui Zhao's ability, the impression it gives is still somewhat complicated...

Seeing Lei Qi instantly fall silent and speechless, Liu Shixian's lips curled into a meaningful smile once again:

"Also... if you have too much contact with her..."

Aren't you afraid she'll figure you out completely?

This statement had an outstanding effect!

Xiao Lei, who was still thinking about how to fight back, suddenly seemed to lose all desire to struggle. He just stood there awkwardly, unable to utter another word.

Seeing Lei Qi completely under his control, Liu Shixian smiled with satisfaction.

He elegantly picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth, grabbed his coat from the back of his chair, stood up, and prepared to leave.

"...Okay, that's enough. I need to catch my flight back to South Korea this morning."

However, before leaving, he paused slightly, turned back to look at Lei Qi, who was still frozen in place, and with a smile, offered his final "advice":
"...I hope you, Lei Qi, 9th Dan, will think carefully about what I just said. Give me the challenge opportunity in the Sanshuang Cup..."

"It might not be a bad thing!"

"you……"

Upon hearing this, Lei Qi suddenly came to his senses, but by then Liu Shixian had already turned around and left the breakfast restaurant with light steps.

Watching Liu Shixian's figure disappear at the restaurant entrance, a feeling of pent-up frustration and bitterness welled up in Xiao Lei's heart!
He instinctively wanted to chase after him and argue, but the other person was already far away, leaving only the captain of the Chinese team sitting blankly at the dining table. Finally, he squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth:

"……hateful!
"You just wait until the Sanshuang Cup comes up!"

...

...

However, the small "clash" between the leaders of China and South Korea at the breakfast restaurant did not attract much attention.

All eyes remained on the Nongshim Cup, a tournament that could end at any moment.

4:30 PM, Dongjiang Hotel, Dongjiang City, Huaxia.

After several hours of intense battle, Chu Jun gradually gained control of the game through precise calculations and steady play. With his 187th move, a brilliant touch pierced through Black's last line of defense, like the finishing touch on a masterpiece!
The large black dragon in the center is in dire straits, its life force is exhausted.

Takuya Ichijo stared intently at the Go board, his brow furrowed, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the surface. After several minutes of deep thought, he shook his head helplessly, slowly placed two white stones on the board, and resigned.

In that instant, the Chinese chess fans watching the game on the big screen outside the game room burst into enthusiastic applause and cheers!

Good news has arrived!

In the third match of the third stage of the Nongshim Cup, Chu Jun 9-dan, a key player from China, defeated Ichijo Takuya 9-dan, the captain of Japan, in the middle game, ending the tournament two matches ahead of schedule!

This victory not only ended the last hope of the Japanese team, but also directly announced that the Chinese team had successfully defended their Nongshim Cup title!
At the same time, with this victory, Chu Jun and his girlfriend, Yang Manjing 9-dan, have swept all of Huaxia team's wins in this Nongshim Cup, creating a legendary story in Nongshim Cup history!

That same evening, the official website for the "Eternal Glory" Special Challenge also officially announced...

Yang Manjing, who has won five consecutive matches in this year's Nongshim Cup, and Chu Jun, the finalist, have each earned the right to challenge for a match. Their challenge matches will be held on the afternoon of the 8th and the morning of the 9th, respectively…

The ceremony is officially underway! (End of Chapter)