Go: Is the portable old man the nine-time champion?

Chapter 301: Fengtian Jingnan
Hearing the conversation between the old and new kings, the other title holders couldn't help but whisper among themselves.

Can Jiang Zemin win?

"Although I think he's a bit silly, he's really strong. After all, he was able to go head-to-head with Lee Jun-hyuk at his peak and win the World Championship."

"Yi Zheng's performance in the round-robin stage for the first time is already abnormal, okay? Don't you all remember what Lao Jiang was like when he first played in the round-robin stage?"

"The main problem is that young people these days are just too abnormal. What's Yi Zheng's win rate this year? Ninety percent?"

"Not that high, 89.5%."

"What's the point of deducting that decimal point? If we had won today, the percentage would definitely be over 90%! Has anyone among you ever achieved a record like that?"

"My highest percentage is 72%..."

A 72% win rate was once a very impressive figure, and achieving this win rate would have been considered a great success, even on the international stage.

But now, compared to 90%, it suddenly seems dull and even a bit ridiculous...

As the title holders spoke, they all seemed to lose their confidence, and Yi Zheng's performance was really too abnormal.

Only those who truly stand at the pinnacle of the Go world can understand just how monstrous Yi Zheng is; he's practically inhuman.

"Yi Zheng... he's practically a bug that crossed over from a shonen anime, right? Or maybe he's been possessed by AlphaGo? Winning one game is skill, winning so many games... that's just mystical, isn't it?"

"With Yi Zheng winning the Chess Saint title this time, does that mean he has officially ascended to the throne as China's number one player?"

"His rating has already reached fourth in China, which is really fast! Not to mention that in the later rounds of the round-robin, you can basically get about five points for every game you win."

"He still has weaknesses, for example, Yi Zheng's endgame is a little weak, but his opening and midgame are very strong. Some people even say that he is invincible in the opening."

Li Junhe had a poor opening, a mediocre middle game, but a strong endgame; these two are the opposite.

"But the problem is, Yi Zheng has to lose at least one game, right? We can't let him crush us all the way from the round-robin stage to the coronation without even stumbling!"

Even someone as strong as Jiang Zemin has played in so many terms. His undefeated record was only achieved during his peak, like winning the lottery! How many years has that been?

No matter what, Yi Zheng should lose a game, otherwise where will the veterans put their faces?

Oh, so you don't have a face on the internet anymore? That's alright then.

The internet reached its climax with the Chess Saint Tournament's recurring cycle, and the online flame wars could also be said to have reached their peak.

Countless people hurl insults and attacks at each other, forming cliques and attacking dissidents. Everywhere, it was a scene of bloodshed and vibrant life, where everything was thriving!
Technical discussions have long been forgotten; all that remains is labeling, stigmatizing, and insulting one's ancestors.

The screen is filled with extreme labels such as "poisonous milk", "waiting to be proven wrong", "Yi God points his sword at the chess saint", "Jiang Emperor's sword is still sharp", "rational and objective Sima"...

Yi Zheng's momentum is so strong right now that many people believe he will soon become China's new Go master.

The Chess Saint Tournament is extremely prestigious; almost everyone who wins it is considered the best player in China that year.

Jiang Mobai has been able to maintain his position as the opponent for so many years not only because he has achieved various good results in world competitions, but also because he has always held the position of chess master in China.

Whether internally or externally, they strike with full force! They strike so hard that their opponents tremble in fear, and their fans feel proud.

So now they're basically arguing like crazy, especially since the two of them are going to have a clash of titans tomorrow. "What's there to argue about?"

Yi Zheng found the online arguments boring; they were just venting emotions without a trace of rationality. He wondered why Old Ke was so engrossed in them.

Upon hearing this, Old Ke couldn't help but shake his head: "You don't understand. It's precisely this kind of simple emotional venting that's fun. If you analyze the truth, you'll have to use your brain."

It's important to understand that a large part of fans' identification with their idols stems from a sense of superiority. "My idol is more famous than yours, therefore I'm better than you!"
That's why Jiang Mobai's fans are unwilling to admit that you've defeated Jiang Mobai, no matter what; even if you lose, they'll find a bunch of excuses.

Besides, isn't watching people argue a traditional part of our country's entertainment? If you see people arguing on the street, do you think you'd stop to watch? It's been a while since I've had some sunflower seeds.

"Damn it, what's this Korean scumbag doing here!"

Old Ke had Yi Zheng scroll down the page with the mouse and saw that in the thread debating who was stronger, Jiang Mobai or Yi Zheng, there were actually people praising Li Junhe, saying that Silla Go was the best in the world.

Clicking on his profile picture again, the interface was full of people cursing Yi Zheng and his ilk, even expressing their heartache and indignation at why a chess player like Yi Zheng could keep winning and why he couldn't just lose everything!

More often, however, they forcefully promote Lee Jun-hyuk's derogatory remarks about Chinese Go players in various unrelated Go posts. The intensity of their wording and the bias of their emotions have reached an uncomfortable level.

Okay, now we don't even need to check the ingredients.

Old Ke immediately started cursing: "Korean traitor, I'll get you in the morning! Li Junhe, a washed-up world number one, lost to Yi Bao with a few dozen hand speeds, what gives him the right to swagger around here!"

Yi Zheng listened to what Elder Ke said while typing, and after clicking send, he felt it was quite strange, as if he were bragging about himself...

"Now it really is called Yi Jueding."

After Yi Zheng left that thread, he discovered that the title he had previously boasted about was now being used by many people, and more and more people were acknowledging it.

Above the three young swordsmen, there is still one supreme master.

“I don’t think this title sounds very nice. On the contrary, I want to remind you not to worry about your hair.”

It seems like Mr. Ke's rants just can't stop.

Absolutely perfect, you really need to worry that your peak might be about to burst.

Upon hearing this, Yi Zheng subconsciously touched his hair, which was still thick and he wasn't worried.

However, quite a few Go players do have bald spots, so it seems they really need to be careful...

"Your popularity is really getting higher and higher. In the online Go-related posts, whether or not they are related to you, you are always mentioned."

There are even people involved in pornography and advertising...

Looking at the replies in the various posts, Mr. Ke couldn't help but sigh. He was truly famous throughout the Go community.

It feels like I became famous in the blink of an eye.

Old Ke glanced at Yi Zheng: "But the excitement is for others. The more important thing is tomorrow's competition. Hurry up and turn off your computer, take a shower, and go to bed!"
Although the final is the real Xuanwu Gate, tomorrow marks the beginning of the Fengtian Rebellion!
Although it's very hot, the yellow robe must be worn!

(End of this chapter)