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

Chapter 302 I would like to call you the strongest

"call!"

Yi Zheng sat in his chair and glanced at his watch. There was only one minute left before the start of the match. Most of the participants were already in their seats, waiting for the referee to announce the start of the match.

Yi Zheng's gaze habitually swept around the surroundings. Apart from him, all the other players on the game table were sitting upright with solemn expressions.

The referee team was also dressed in formal attire, glancing at their watches and discussing something. Several reporters wearing media badges had already aimed their telephoto lenses at the empty space in the center, anxiously and expectantly adjusting their apertures.

Because Jiang Mobai, the reigning Go master and Yi Zheng's opponent today, is still nowhere to be found with less than a minute left before the start of the match.

However, Yi Zheng was not in a hurry at all. Being in the eye of the storm, he was unusually calm, just like the eye of the typhoon.

I picked up the milk tea I ordered next to me and took a sip. Sometimes you need to replenish your sugar when playing chess, otherwise you are prone to low blood sugar.

The reason Yi Zheng wasn't in a hurry wasn't because he was expecting Jiang Mobai to be late or anything like that. For a professional player, this kind of thing shouldn't happen normally unless there are unexpected circumstances.

Not to mention, everyone in the room, from the head of the chess academy to the cleaning lady, knows Jiang Qisheng’s deep-rooted “virtue” that can be described as performance art.
It's more realistic to expect him to announce his ordination tomorrow rather than to expect him to appear properly and on time.

Yi Zheng glanced at his digital watch and silently counted down: "Ten, nine, eight..."

"Clang! C ...

Before the countdown was even halfway over, an extremely arrogant electronic sound, like a god descending from an epic movie, suddenly shattered the silence of the arena!
The volume was turned up to the maximum, making the entire space buzz. Chen Yanran, who was closest to the corridor, couldn't help but cover her ears, cursing inwardly that this guy must have used a loudspeaker.

All eyes, including those of the reporters' cameras, were focused in one direction, and Jiang Mobai appeared at the end of a corridor.

His gait... well, anyway, he was trying to walk with an air of domineering arrogance and disregard for family.

The veteran player sighed and rubbed his forehead, while the young players desperately suppressed their laughter. But in their hearts, they all thought in unison, "I knew it! Just as I expected! He's truly worthy of the name!"

Jiang Mobai never misses a trick when he makes a crucial appearance.

Currently, Yi Zheng and Jiang Mobai are the two most likely to advance, as they are the only two who have achieved four consecutive wins. If either of them wins this time, their five-win record will almost certainly secure them a spot in the finals.

Therefore, it can be said that this match is definitely the most anticipated game of this round-robin tournament, a battle for supremacy!

Many people are already viewing this clash between two undefeated champions as a preview of the final.

Some even say that this match is a bellwether for the changing of the guard between old and new kings, and that is no exaggeration! Every shot and every piece may be repeatedly interpreted in the future.

As he approached the chessboard, Jiang Mobai abruptly shrugged off his leather jacket with a flourish, throwing it behind him without even glancing at it.

The assistant, who had a blank expression, followed closely behind. As if by reflex, he reached out precisely, caught the item, and folded it neatly. The action was completed in one smooth motion, showing that he was already very familiar with this "regular routine".

If it weren't for the high salary, I really wouldn't want to go to this awkward job for even a single day!
Looking at Jiang Mobai's deliberate imitation, Old Ke couldn't help but complain, "He's obviously been watching too much of that latest movie, 'Thousand Gods.' By the way, is using this background music really not going to cause any copyright issues?"

However, Mr. Ke couldn't help but exclaim that people who can do this in real life are truly amazing.

After all, even he, in his original world, basically only did abstract things online, daring to say anything and do anything, but once offline, he became timid and hesitant, giving the impression of being socially awkward, not daring to utter a single word.

This is a typical example of contemporary netizens: fierce online attacks, but meek and submissive offline.

But Jiang Mobai really dares to do it! He's truly taken abstraction to the extreme!

To think that such abstract maneuvers could be performed offline! Even Master Ke couldn't help but give a thumbs up. "As a fellow Go master, I'm no match for you. Impressive! So abstract!"
Jiang Mobai looked at Yi Zheng sitting opposite him, and his expression became serious.

From his meteoric rise to prominence, stepping on the shoulders of countless predecessors to claim the title of Chess Saint, to his current reign as the number one player in Chinese chess for over six years, Jiang Mobai has seen far too many dark horses claiming to challenge his throne.

Some child prodigies shine like meteors, only to have their moment in the spotlight. Along the way, powerful and accomplished individuals have tried to shake their foundations.

They launched attacks like a relentless barrage, bringing excitement and pressure, but never truly making him feel the foundation beneath his feet crumble.

But never has anyone made Jiang Mobai feel more threatened than Yi Zheng's rise.

Yi Zheng represents not only the explosion of personal talent, but also the rise of the entire new generation of chess players!
They have more active minds, more innovative strategies, a deeper understanding of Go, and more energy.

This wave, just like Jiang Mobai and his group of partners back then, swept away the old generation of chess players with overwhelming force, announcing the arrival of a new era.

Time is like a knife; will those who once stirred up the waves also become the waves that are washed ashore?
However, this sense of crisis did not frighten Jiang Mobai; instead, it stirred up an almost obsessive competitive spirit within him!

Due to various reasons such as the times, the achievements of the older generation of kings are usually crushed by the new generation of kings, but I, Jiang Mobai, am determined to change this fate!

My curtain falls on my own life, not on something imposed upon me by others!
There is no opponent in this world that cannot be defeated!

Li Junhe was like that in the past, and Yi Zheng is like that now!

Well... that dog thing online is an exception, please don't bring the internet into reality.

Anyway, I, Jiang Mobai, will borrow another five hundred years from heaven!

He slightly raised his chin, his eyes gleaming, and prepared a breath that would draw the entire audience's attention. His lips parted slightly, ready to unleash the long-brewing, melodramatic line that was poised to ignite the crowd—

"I……"

"I hereby announce the official start of the fifth round of the third stage of the Chinese Chess Saint Tournament! Players, please guess first!"

Jiang Mobai had already written his lines for the short essay last night, but before he could even say them, he was interrupted by the referee's voice.

Jiang Mobai was completely dumbfounded. He was so focused on the protagonist being the last to appear that he forgot there wouldn't be time to say his lines after the final appearance!

The game officially began, and the rules explicitly prohibited any form of conversation with the opponent—except for functional language used in the game, such as reminding the opponent to press the clock or pointing out simple mistakes.

Seeing Jiang Mobai struggling to suppress his smile, Yi Zheng offered a very considerate reassurance: "Senior Brother Jiang, guess first, everything is understood without words."

True masters don't talk; they just take action.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mobai immediately became serious, as if he had been given a shot of adrenaline, and nodded.

Yes! That's right!

A sudden realization washed over Jiang Mobai! This was the true mark of a master! True mastery meant—silence was golden! Words were precious! Hands behind his back, looking down upon the world!

Turning his back on all living beings! Dominating all ages!
This is the persona I'm supposed to be!
What was that passionate little essay I wrote yesterday? Childish! Too talkative! A complete failure! Junior Brother Yi Zheng is truly knowledgeable! That level of insight, that subtle hint… so spot on!
Jiang Mobai was thrilled with his "enlightenment," and his expression instantly switched back to what he considered to be the "peerless master" mode.

He nodded to Yi Zheng with utmost solemnity and force.

No wonder we're kindred spirits! When it comes to showing off, I'd call you the ultimate expert!
If Master Ke could hear Jiang Mobai's inner monologue, he would definitely complain: Wu Shi lost face in front of the public because he raised a good dog, but what is your reason?
(End of this chapter)