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Chapter 193 The Chess Game (Two Chapters Combined)

A melodious, ethereal sound rang in my ears.

Wang Xi focused his attention and looked again, but the immortal's figure had already disappeared, leaving only more than ten new pieces on the chessboard.

He suddenly felt a slight itch in his palm.

I opened my hand and found that there was an object that looked like a date pit, and its fragrance was refreshing.

Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that this was actually a carving of a boat made of walnut, with doors and windows, and six figures in total: two scholars, a monk, a cook, and two boatmen, each with a different expression and lifelike features.

There was a couplet on the window—

"Having eaten my fill of fragrant red lotus rice, my home is truly a celestial abode."

The bottom of the boat is also engraved with the words "In the autumn of the Renxu year of the Tianqi reign, Jin Gu Fang Jianbing carved this, and traveled with Xuan Jun to Lanke Mountain".

"Zhu Yu Jujube Pit: The carvings made by cultivators of the 'Carving Path' from the pits of the spiritual fruit jujube can keep one from hunger for a year if held in the mouth."

Wang Xi suddenly recalled the story of Wang Zhi watching chess, in which an immortal gave him a jujube pit, which, when eaten, allowed him to temporarily reside in a blessed land.

Could this be it?

He tried putting the walnut boat in his mouth, and immediately felt his mouth water, with an endless sweet taste, and a warm feeling in his stomach, so he wasn't hungry at all.

'It's amazing.'

Wang Xi said secretly.

He then took two steps forward to carefully observe the game.

'Perhaps this is a test; only those who understand the game will be accepted as disciples by the immortal cultivation sects of Rotten Axe Mountain?'

Wang Xi stayed there for two days.

Although he clearly sensed the passage of time, there was no night on Rotten Axe Mountain; it was always daytime, filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers.

Wang Xi's observation of the chess game over the past two days led him to three conclusions:

First, I don't understand it.

Second, it wastes time.

Third, this sect is incompatible with his birth chart, and they clash.

Wang Xi knows absolutely nothing about Go. Asking him to watch a game is just asking the impossible!

Even when Caius examined the chessboard, the only information he provided was: "A mysterious endgame; if you can find the solution, you may gain unexpected insights."

solution?

It doesn't solve a single problem!
They say the prize money is one million, but if I give you Goldbach's Conjecture, can you even solve it?
Wang Xi is also a respectable person.

Knowing he couldn't solve it, he didn't force the issue. He immediately bowed to the mountain wall and said, "I am not good at Go. I am fortunate to have entered this blessed land, but I have no chance to find the divine secrets. I am ashamed."

now.

Amidst the ever-changing clouds and towering peaks, stood two elderly men with ethereal bearing, their robes fluttering in the breeze.

They looked down at the young man in the long black robe on the stone platform below, shook their heads with regret and anger at his lack of ambition.

“Our ‘Yitianque’ has not had a new disciple for decades. We finally have a promising talent, but he is a guy who knows nothing about the way of chess.”

The old man with his hair tied in a bun on the left sighed.

Another old man with disheveled hair said helplessly, "The sect leader is strict and prefers to have none rather than accept inferior ones. What can we do? Forty years ago, Jiang Huai'an, the prime minister of the Da Lu Dynasty, became the sect leader's last disciple. He entered the Dao through chess and became a model for all these years."

"But how many Jiang Huai'ans can there be in a thousand years!"

“Junior brother, I observe that this person possesses abundant good karma. Even if his talent in chess is lacking, taking him under your wing will bring blessings to the sect.”

The old man with his hair tied in a bun pondered for a moment.

"How about we play another game of Gomoku? I doubt even if he's stupid, he can't be so dense as to not understand this."

"Absolutely not, Senior Brother!"

The disheveled old man hurriedly tried to dissuade him.

"Without rules, nothing can be accomplished. As chess players, how can we ruin our foundation?"

"You're so old-fashioned!"

The old man with his hair tied in a bun was displeased and pointed at him.

The two argued for a few minutes.

In the end, he had no choice but to shut up in frustration.

The old man with his hair tied in a bun shook his head regretfully and said to those below, "Since we are not destined to be together, let's find somewhere else."

Having said that, he flicked his sleeve.

As the mountain mist rose, it engulfed Wang Xi within a few breaths.

...

...

Wang Xi suddenly came to his senses.

He found himself still sitting at the table in the side room, with the sun already high in the sky outside the window.

Hu Lang and Mei Yanxi were both watching him from the side.

"Brother Xizhi, you're awake."

Mei Yanxi asked with concern.

Wang Xi asked, "Master Mei, how long have I been asleep?"

“Just for one night,” Mei Yanxi said with a smile. “I just woke up too.”

It only took one night?

In his dream, he stayed on Rotten Axe Mountain for two whole days.

"I wonder if Brother Xi has been accepted into a celestial sect?"

At this moment, Mei Yanxi asked again.

Wang Xi shook his head and recounted his sleepwalking experience at Rotten Axe Mountain.

Upon hearing this, Mei Yanxi was taken aback, then sighed, "What a pity."

After discussing it, neither of them accepted the divine favor.

The blessed land that Mei Yanxi visited in her dream was called "Douxuan Kingdom." Upon hearing this, Wang Xi immediately thought of the story of Xue Junzhou.

Legend has it that this "Douxuan Kingdom" is a world within the ears, containing a small world, where the distinction between ruler and subject is clear, and the country is well-ordered.

Everything was no different from the outside world.

However, the "Douxuan Kingdom" that Mei Yanxi visited was not quite the same as the legend. The people there were strong and healthy, and all the officials were cultivators.

This is clearly a land of spiritual practice!

According to Mei Yanxi, as soon as he arrived, he was found by a palace attendant who called himself Zhang Rui and was sent to meet the emperor.

The king, known as "Lord Xuanzhen," gave him three tests: military strategy, tactics, and governance.

Mei Yanxi could not answer any of them.

Finally, he was waved away by the emperor.

The content of this examination is precisely the Daoist tradition of the Douxuan Kingdom.

"It's just not a good fit, so let's not force it."

Mei Yanxi looked regretful.

At this moment, Hu Lang spoke up: "You two don't need to be discouraged. It's not easy to enter a dream to seek immortals. When those immortal sects choose disciples, they value whether the disciples are compatible with their own lineage."

"With your innate talents and virtuous character, and the virtue you possess, as long as you do more good deeds and accumulate merit, you will surely be able to..."

Before he could finish speaking, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the room.

The three turned to look and saw Qi Luan's personal maid, Xiao Cui, running over in a panic: "Gentlemen, some police officers have come to the front yard and say they want to search for a fugitive."

Mei Yanxi had also heard about the Five Immortals' family. Upon hearing this, her expression changed slightly, and she subconsciously looked at Wang Xi.

Hu Lang said in a deep voice, "It's alright, the Qi family still has some influence in Fengdeng City."

Sure enough, the maid returned shortly afterward to report that Miss Qi had sent the visitors away.

Mei Yanxi breathed a sigh of relief and bowed to Hu Lang with a wry smile: "Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Hu. But I am just an ordinary mortal, and I am afraid I am not worthy of the eyes of the immortals."

In the afternoon, in the Qi family courtyard.

Wang Xi and Qi Luan sat facing each other at the stone table.

The young woman skillfully prepared tea with her delicate hands, her movements fluid and graceful. Sunlight filtered through the wisteria trellis, casting dappled shadows on her plain cheongsam.

"Does Mr. Xizhi know that the Douxuan Kingdom mainly cultivates the art of war, while the Lankeshan Mountain mainly cultivates the art of chess?"

Qi Luan spoke softly, pushing the teacup in front of Wang Xi: "There are also the Peach Blossom Spring, which governs agriculture, and the Green Mountain, which governs alchemy, etc... Without the corresponding talent, it is difficult to become a disciple."

Wang Xi took the teacup, lost in thought.

He then inquired, "What is the attitude of these cultivation sects towards the demonic calamities in the world?"

“There are roughly three types.” Qi Luan gently stroked the rim of the cup with her fingertips. “Some, like my Tai Su Jian Zhen Pavilion, actively slay demons and monsters; many more stand by indifferently; and the most hateful are those…”

She paused, a hint of disgust flashing in her eyes: "Deliberately instigating the demonic disaster, then stepping in to 'resolve' it, while taking the opportunity to plunder spiritual materials."

Wang Xi nodded upon hearing this.

Just as he was about to ask for details, Qi Luan suddenly said, "Speaking of which... I received a message from my sect that two evil spirits have been causing trouble in Fengdeng City recently."

She raised her eyes, her gaze clear: "One is 'Red Sleeve Boy' Yiyi, and the other is 'Well Spring Boy' Haha'er. They were originally household gods, under the jurisdiction of Third Aunt, but now they have become a scourge."

Wang Xi immediately understood: "Miss Qi intends to take action and eliminate these two evil spirits?"

However, the girl's ears turned slightly red, and she shook her head, saying:

"I... am not good at martial arts, and my sect all say I'm just all show and no substance."

As she spoke, she smiled to herself.

She then looked at Wang Xi, her eyes filled with expectation: "Mr. Xi, would you be willing to help?"

"Now the Zhao family has pinned all the evil deeds committed by the two evil spirits on the Five Immortals. If we can suppress them, it will be a great help to them."

Wang Xi pondered.

Today I heard Hu Lang say that on the path of spiritual practice, merit and virtue are also of paramount importance.

It can help the Five Immortals, accumulate good karma, and rid the people of harm—a triple benefit.

He had no reason to refuse. "I would be grateful if Miss Qi could inform me of the information regarding these two evil spirits."

Wang Xi cupped his hands in greeting.

Upon hearing this, Qi Luan smiled slightly.

...

...

now.

Central Street, Fountain City.

At the end of the street stands a completely black attic with a dragon sculpture on the outside.

This is none other than Master Han's residence, "Black Dragon Pavilion".

Downstairs, there were rows of luxury cars and many military jeeps, guarded by two squads of Black Eel soldiers.

On the top floor of the pavilion, two men were playing chess. One had long hair and wore luxurious green clothes, like a refined gentleman; the other was a peddler in a gray patched long gown.

"Young Master Li, you have lost."

The peddler placed a white piece, trapping his opponent in a deadlock.

Li Qingke shook his head helplessly, took a sip of his tea, and said, "I've never won a game of chess against you. It's no fun."

“It is understandable that Young Master Li is not skilled in this art.”

The peddler smiled and picked up his wine glass.

The two enjoyed tea and wine together, finding pleasure in the experience.

"Now that the Zhao family is hunting down their disciples in an attempt to refine the Five Immortals Pill, won't you lend a hand?"

Li Qingke asked curiously.

The peddler glanced at him and retorted, "You're Master Han's chief advisor, aren't you going to put in a good word for me?"

"How can I plead for you if you don't speak up?"

Li Qingke shrugged and asked again.

"Besides, I don't intend to get involved. I need to teach Master Han a lesson, otherwise even the largest family business will be ruined by misfortune."

The peddler remained silent.

He understood what Li Qingke meant.

The Five Immortals Clan isn't just comprised of these younger generations. Their elders and ancestors are all beings with thousands of years of cultivation. If they really anger them, Master Han might suffer a major setback.

"Perhaps he sees you as someone to rely on."

"That's what the peddler joked."

Li Qingke did not refute.

His true identity is the chief disciple of the "Four Symbols Court," the leading sect of immortals, and he has now personally entered the mortal world in order to find the "Soul-Seeing".

Staying by Han Siye's side in Chen Kingdom is just for convenience.

But in Master Han's eyes, it was a mysterious master who descended the mountain to help him end the war and unify the Great Lu Kingdom.

"By the way, Xie Er, that young man you mentioned, did he really 'see death' twice before even embarking on the path of cultivation?"

Li Qingke suddenly asked a question.

The peddler said seriously, "That's right."

Li Qingke was increasingly puzzled. He had cultivated for two hundred years and had already attained the inner vision and outer appearance, only one step away from ascension, yet he still had not "seen death".

But the martial arts school in Qingwei Town actually produced such an eccentric person; it was simply unheard of.

"Coincidentally, he has now also come to Fengdeng City."

The peddler said leisurely.

"They also helped the Five Immortals cut off one of the Zhao family's arms, helping them escape their predicament. Now they are hiding in the Qi family to avoid disaster."

"Aren't you going to guide him onto the path of cultivation?"

Li Qingke asked with a smile.

The peddler sighed, "I've tried it. After entering a dream, I went to Rotten Axe Mountain, but the way of chess is completely unsuitable for me."

"The way of Go is not suitable for me either."

Li Qingke threw the black pieces in his hand into the chess jar.

"Who plays chess these days? It's boring."

"The art of chess has a high barrier to entry," the peddler shook his head. "If another genius like Jiang Huai'an were to emerge, it would probably be able to eliminate many of the demonic calamities in the human world."

“Jiang Huai’an…”

Li Qingke took a deep breath, his eyes filled with longing.

Jiang Huai'an has been ascended to heaven for more than ten years, leaving behind the title of "Great Master of Fate".

"It's better than this."

Li Qingke thought for a moment and then said.

"Let's play another game of chess, using this bountiful harvest as our board."

"How do you want to get off?" the peddler asked with interest.

“If Wang Xizhi gets rid of the two boys under Third Aunt’s command, I will help you persuade Fourth Master Han to stop coveting the Five Immortals. Without his backing, the Zhao family is nothing more than a stray dog ​​on the roadside, easily manipulated.”

"Furthermore, I am willing to personally guide him onto the path of spiritual practice."

Li Qingke laughed.

Upon hearing this, the peddler raised an eyebrow.

The Four Symbols Court is no ordinary place. If Li Qingke were to step in, it would be highly likely that he could find a suitable sect for Wang Xi.

The peddler asked, "What if it can't be removed?"

"I haven't removed it. I want something from your container."

"Heh." The peddler chuckled. "Since Young Master Li is so interested, let's play this game of chess, but you can't renege on your debt if you lose."

"A gentleman's words are followed by a swift whip."

Li Qingke waved his hand casually.

...

...

When Wang Xi left the Qi family mansion, it was already close to dusk.

The western district of Fountain City is usually bustling, but at this moment it is inexplicably shrouded in a cold and gloomy atmosphere.

He was sitting in a rickshaw, his palm open, on which lay a paper-cut figure pointing in a certain direction.

"Guiding Paper Cutting: Created by a Taoist paper-cutting practitioner, the little figure on it will always point to the target."

This was the item that Miss Qi Luan gave Wang Xi before he left home; it could be used to locate the two evil spirits.

The rickshaw pulled him to a roadside stop.

Wang Xi gave the driver two cents and walked through several bustling streets, the surrounding noise gradually being replaced by an eerie silence.

Finally, the paper-cut guide led Wang Xi to an old shopping mall, where he stopped moving.

A sign that read "Temporarily Closed" hung at the entrance of the mall, and a thin layer of dust covered the glass doors, indicating that it had been abandoned for a long time.

Bang.

Wang Xi pushed open the door and entered, a musty, rotten smell hitting him.

The interior of the mall was dimly lit, with only a few emergency lights flashing a pale white light.

He walked quietly down the empty corridor, and faintly heard a woman's whispers and soft laughter. The voice was elusive, as if it came from a great distance, or as if it were right behind him.

"Hehe... Come on..."

Wang Xi frowned and quickened his pace. The paper-cut guide started moving again, leading him towards the public restroom deep inside the mall.

Suddenly, a loud bang was heard.

The toilet door slammed shut, and a panicked scream came from inside.

"Help! Is anyone there?!"

"The door won't open! Quick, think of something!"

Wang Xi's eyes sharpened, and he strode forward, kicking open the tightly closed toilet door.

"what!"

Two young women were seen embracing each other, their faces pale, one of them even slumped to the ground.

In front of them stood a little girl in red, her back to the door, her long hair hanging down, her shoulders trembling slightly, as if she were sobbing.

"Let's go quickly," Wang Xi said in a deep voice.

The two women, as if granted a pardon, stumbled out of the restroom and fled without looking back.

Wang Xi stood still, staring at the girl in the red dress.

"Red-Sleeved Child Yi Yi (Demonized/Nemesis/Five-Star/Elite)"

At this time.

The girl's crying stopped abruptly.

The next second, her head slowly turned, twisting 180 degrees at an angle impossible for a human to do, revealing a face as pale as paper.

His cheeks were bright red, making him look strangely unsettling.

"Will you... play with me too?"

Her voice was childish, yet it carried a chilling undertone.

Wang Xi remained calm, his hands behind his back: "Sorry, I'm not interested in brats."

Before the words were finished, the figure of the red-sleeved boy suddenly disappeared, and when he reappeared, he was already close at hand.

"Play with me!"

The girl's face contorted as she screamed and lunged forward, her sharp fingernails already reaching Wang Xi's throat.

(End of this chapter)