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

Chapter 377 Taking Back Everything

"It's really exciting that we made it to the semifinals!"

Looking at the scenery outside the plane, Yun Linglei couldn't help but feel a little excited as he thought about the World Go League playoffs finals and semifinals that were about to be held in Europe.

The Asian Cup had just ended, and the group that participated in the Asian Cup went straight to the venue of the World Go League playoffs finals without even returning home.

Yun Linglei still feels like he's dreaming, after all, he really didn't expect the team to achieve this result, not to mention that his personal best team result in the top league was only fourth place.

I originally thought that my team was only at a mid-to-upper level, and that it would be good if we could achieve a decent result in the playoffs. But now we are at least aiming for the top four and fighting for the top three!

Yun Linglei couldn't help but glance at Yi Zheng and Shen Guhong, who were looking at the life-or-death problems on the side. He could only say that his own judgment was too sharp!

When Yi Zheng was first signed, many people did not think he was a top-tier player, but in just one year, many people now consider him to be the world's number one!
Although Shen Guhong has not grown that fast, he has definitely reached the level of one of the top ten in China, and may even be able to challenge for the title.

Because of the sudden growth of two key players, their team suddenly transformed from an ordinary mid-tier team into a super team with a real chance of winning the championship!

"It's just that it's still missing a big leg."

Yanran 7-dan, who was originally a mainstay in the top league, has now become the team's weakness, which is truly unexpected.

Yun Linglei couldn't help but shake his head. There was nothing he could do, because the other galactic fleets were all incredibly weak, with everyone at level nine.

For example, today's semi-final opponent, Yuewen Team, is last year's champion and a super team.

Team composition: Li Junhe 9-dan, Jiang Mobai 9-dan, Chu Tianjiao 9-dan, Lian Qiao 9-dan.

A former world number one whose tiger-like might still lingers, and a former number one Chinese player still in his prime, holding two Chinese titles.

It can only be said that this team has absolutely no weaknesses, and it seems no surprise that they can beat any team 4-0.

"Headache."

Yun Linglei was also at a loss for words: "In the two rounds of the semifinals, there was no main player in the first round, but in the second round, Yi Zheng will definitely be the main player."

One point is awarded for each line spoken. No main general is set in the first round, but a main general is set in the second round. The main general wins and receives 1.5 points.

If Yi Zheng wins both matches, then as long as the other three players manage to win two out of six games, they can directly advance to the finals.

This is the joy of having a superstar player in your team; the role of the team leader is simply too important.

At his peak, Lao Ke once single-handedly carried three ordinary mid-level players to almost win the championship, and throughout the season, he achieved an 18-4 record, dragging his teammates to a runner-up finish.

Therefore, teams with a superstar player have a significant advantage in competitions.

"I'm about to get off the plane. I reckon a lot of people will want to interview Yi Zheng."

After winning the Asian Cup, Yi Zheng did not return to China but came directly here to participate in the playoffs. Many media outlets did not interview Yi Zheng, who won the Asian Cup.

The World Go League can be considered the highest-level team competition in the world of Go, and its popularity is in no way inferior to some world championships.

Therefore, most media outlets will be present to cover the match, and they will certainly be interviewing Yi Zheng, the newly crowned Asian Cup champion.

Meanwhile, as soon as the group stepped out of the international entrance, a swarm of reporters rushed over.

"Ethan 9-dan, congratulations on entering the World Go League A. What are your expectations for this year's competition?"

"Ethan 9-dan, you won a gold medal at this year's Americas Games, your fourth championship this year. However, your rating is still ranked fourth in the world, and you have even been surpassed by Yi Zheng 9-dan from China, who recently won the Asian Cup and the Go Saint title. What are your thoughts on this?"

Upon hearing this, Ethan, who had intended to leave quickly, immediately stopped in his tracks. After the Asian Cup, Yi Zheng's three consecutive wins propelled him to third place in the world, while Kuroki Teruto dropped to fifth. With these shifts in position, Ethan remained in fourth place.

The problem was that Yi Zheng suddenly jumped on his head, and Ethan's blood pressure immediately spiked.

"It was a pity that we won the runner-up in the World League A last year. Actually, I played very well, but unfortunately we lost by one game at the end."

What I want to say is that rating is just a reference; the honor of winning a championship is what truly matters. I have never seen rating used to calculate historical status.

Just like Lee Jun-hyuk 9-dan, since winning the World Cup last year, he hasn't won any decent international tournaments, so I no longer consider him the world's number one.

The same applies to a person; winning one or two games doesn't mean anything. I remember there was a Chinese chess player who won three international championships in one year, but quickly fell from grace the following year and never achieved anything again.

So! The same principle applies to some people! A brief burst of success, a single victory—do they think that defines their status? How naive!

Only consistent victories and accumulated...

As Ethan was pondering how to attack someone, suddenly...

"what--!!!"

A sharp, excited scream, almost breaking out in a shrill voice, exploded like a thunderclap behind the group of reporters!
"It's Yi Zheng, 9th Dan!!!"

"Yi Zheng, 9-dan, and his team have come out! They're over at Exit B!"

The shout was like a starting gun, not only interrupting Ethan's eloquent speech, but also instantly rousing the entire crowd.

Then, a scene that Ethan 9-dan would never forget unfolded: surrounding him were the reporters who had just been diligently recording every word he spoke, capturing every change in his expression, and professionally interviewing him—

A large group of reporters, without the slightest hesitation, didn't even bother to turn around and give him an apologetic look!

With remarkable skill, speed, and even a touch of frenzied eagerness, they abruptly changed direction! Carrying heavy cameras, holding long microphone stands, and clutching recorders and notebooks, they surged towards the direction from which the screams were coming—the B exit of the international entrance!

They seemed afraid that if they were even a step too slow, they would immediately miss out on a good spot.

The crowd in front of him instantly emptied out, and the once bustling scene became deserted within seconds.

Only one or two reporters, perhaps from local media or slow to react, remained standing there alone and somewhat awkwardly, microphone in hand, watching Ethan's face turn from ashen to black, then flushed red, exchanging bewildered glances.

The place, which was just moments ago packed with people, was now filled only with a messy floor and Ethan's somewhat out-of-place figure.

He froze on the spot, his eyes wide with disbelief, the flames in his azure pupils seeming to burn into reality.

A surge of intense resentment, a mixture of being blatantly humiliated, being completely ignored, and most importantly, having everything taken away by "that Yi Zheng," rushed straight to the top of his head like magma!

What's the meaning? !

Aren't you interviewing me?!

What do you mean by running away halfway through?! Did you even take my words to heart?! You bastards!

Yi Zheng, I will take back everything you stole from me!
The prelude to this match seems to have already begun right here in the airport.

(End of this chapter)