The work of the Go master

"Probably. Putting aside everything else, controlling the distribution of ranks more can at least save on salary costs and prevent the proliferation of ranks, which would devalue the title of 'professional'," Saito said, pouring sake. "The reason why the highest rank this time can be set at three dan is probably because a nine-dan player took on a particularly promising disciple, betting that he could overpower everyone else and take this unique three dan."

Saito continued his analysis: "And this ninth-dan who strongly recommended his disciple must have also staked something on it to push through this proposal for a third dan."

Chapter 46 It turns out I'm the one going to jail?! (Dads, please subscribe!)

After thinking for a while, Ke Zhiguang said seriously, "Teacher, wasn't this the result you discussed together on the beach in Hawaii? How come it sounds like you weren't there at all last year? Were you swimming happily in the sea while others were discussing it on the shore?"

“Apart from this third dan, the rest of the spots were indeed the result of our discussions. Only this third dan was added later. It was personally decided by Oshiro Ki. The ninth dan only needs to persuade Oshiro Ki.” Saito replied, “You are right about one thing. I did not pay much attention to them. I spent most of my time at sea. After they came to a conclusion, they just called me ashore to sign a document to show that I agreed.”

Ke Zhiguang raised an eyebrow slightly: "Oh? I think I heard Yu Chengqi's name again. Then I have to snipe this third-dan spot."

Saito smiled and said, "You seem quite determined to bring him down."

“I’ve seen just the tip of the iceberg of his evil deeds in that shady place. Most people probably want him to fall. I suppose you, teacher, also want to bring him down, right?” Ke Zhiguang rubbed his fingers together, his vivid expression giving off a smug and roguish vibe, with a touch of hot-bloodedness.

Faced with this question, Saito suddenly realized something.

When I first met Ke Zhiguang, he said he would definitely see Kiyonuma Yuzawa that night, using the same excuse. He also said that Saito 9-dan should also want him to be punished.

Saito was indeed moved by his determination and decided to help him out, choosing to believe in the high school student group that he had been criticizing every day for the first time.

This is a very relatable young man, especially for a genius like Saito. Watching him rush forward and take down everything feels like returning to the days when he would take down anyone he didn't like.

The older generation of geniuses often do not conflict with the next generation of geniuses. The younger generation does not threaten the older generation's status, and the older generation cannot surpass the new generation in terms of technology.

Only middle-aged people caught between the old and new generations often find themselves pleasing neither side and having conflicts with everyone.

Oshiro Chess seems to be of this type as well.

For some, Yu Chengqi is too young and too powerful.

"Of course, if he could fall, it might be good for the entire chess world, but I no longer have the ability to do that. My ultimate goal now is the Dragon Throne Tournament next year."

"Do you still want to compete on the front lines?"

Saito said sarcastically, "This is my last battle. No matter the outcome, I choose to retire. I have already discussed this with my family."

"Then, I wish you good luck?"

"Just wish me good luck. There's a high chance we'll meet on the field next year." Saito revealed a beast-like smile.

This pre-match taunt ended the ramen party, and Saito said he had to pack his bags for Hawaii and took his leave.

If it's a declaration to Harushima Kashiwa that the next time they meet is on the field, then they'll probably see each other again in a few days. But considering Saito's next trip is to Hawaii, it'll probably be a long time before they see each other again, right?

After Saito left, Aoba Bridge chimed in, "What exactly did you bet with him to make him agree to move his teaching location here?"

Aoba Bridge had asked Saito the same question, but Saito just smiled and didn't answer, remaining mysterious and only fueling Aoba Bridge's curiosity.

"You really want to hear this?"

"Yeah, seriously."

“I said, if I lose, I will marry his granddaughter,” Ke Zhiguang calmly uttered this astonishing statement.

"Pfft—!" Cang Yuqiao spat out the entire bottle of wine in one gulp.

"What?! You're going to marry Saito-senpai's granddaughter?!" Aoba Bridge asked, his eyes wide.

"I already said, I'll only marry you if I lose." Ke Zhiguang calmly sipped the soup, speaking in a polite, Japanese-style voice.

Cang Yuqiao tried to remain calm as she asked, "Stop, stop, stop. You mean marrying someone else's granddaughter would be beneath you?"

"That's not what I meant. I just feel that, given Saito's style, although he seems hostile to the etiquette and seniority between master and disciple on the surface, I can sense that deep down he actually wants to do something like that for fun."

That game where they forced the two boys to become apprentices is the best proof.

"So I thought he really wanted to take me under his wing, and he seemed to appreciate me quite a bit, so I made this bet of marrying his granddaughter."

"You... you're willing to gamble such a major life event just to set up a teaching location at a school?" Cang Yuqiao said, covering his face.

"As for this... if it really doesn't work out, I can break the contract. Anyway, my top priority at the time was to quickly coax him into playing a game with me."

Actually, when facing Saito, Koji Hikaru even drew a challenge ticket to increase his chances of winning the game.

And in the challenge bet section, this is what he filled in.

Challenge tickets are always shrouded in mystery; even if you lose the game and ruin your marriage, there are probably a million ways to make you submit.

God knows what storyline would have unfolded if I had actually lost the game.

But Ke Zhiguang didn't think that much at the time. After seven days of studying game records, he felt that he was invincible and that anyone who blocked him would be doomed. Therefore, he did not think too much about the consequences of losing the game.

Besides, as I said before, not considering the consequences of losing increases the chances of winning.

Subsequent events proved that he had won his gamble again.

Cang Yuqiao was still rubbing his face, looking extremely troubled: "Ke-kun, I'm not trying to be mean, but before you made this bet, didn't you do any research at all?"

"What do you mean, 'understand'?"

"For example, who exactly is Saito-senpai's granddaughter?"

"I know her. I think her name is Saito Rina or something. She's a famous female Go player. She's participated in competitions and won awards. She's about my age, but I've never seen her in a photo."

"See? You still know nothing!" Cang Yuqiao suddenly roared.

Ke Zhiguang felt that Cang Yuqiao was playing a riddle game with him, and couldn't help but retort angrily: "Then tell me, what important information did I miss!"

"Saito-senpai's granddaughter... she's only in the third grade of elementary school this year! The only competitions she's participated in are elementary school competitions! And she won a place in an elementary school competition!" Aobahashi ended with three "ahs" in a row, which was enough to show how devastated he was.

"Ok?"

Ke Zhiguang's chopsticks fell to the ground with a thud, echoing a jolt in his heart.

this......

Damn it, why do I always feel like I've just brushed past some dangerous thing?

Does it mean the storyline that begins after losing the game is called the "Prison Bad End"?

Thank goodness.

Thankfully I won, otherwise my future job might have been to go to jail, becoming cellmates with my grandfather, exchanging Go and Shogi in the cage.

After squeezing out the last bit of broth, the small banquet came to an end.

As I stepped out from under the noren curtain of the ramen shop, raindrops suddenly patted my face.

A night rain fell on Tokyo.

Chapter 47 Night Rain (Dads, please subscribe!)

That evening.

The neon lights of Tokyo appeared hazy and ethereal in the night rain, while another teacher appreciation banquet was being held in a Japanese-style restaurant near Tokyo Bay in Minato Ward.

In the spacious 100-square-meter room, several young people dressed in formal attire sat around a dining table. At the far end of the table was an elderly man in a gray-brown kimono and another handsome young man.

"Come on, let's toast to your senior brother's successful acquisition of the only third-tier title this time!" The old man's long beard fluttered with delight as he led the way in raising his glass, followed by the young men who were clearly his students.

The teacher's name is Seiichi Suga, and he is also a 9-dan player.

The boy sitting next to Suga Seiichi, sharing the seat of honor with him, was naturally the senior disciple.

He was a person whose arrogance could be felt from his face. Although his posture was relatively upright and he followed the etiquette of his master, the sharpness in his eyes could not be hidden.

His name is Yabu Eijin, and he is 16 years old this year. Although he is a bit too old compared to other children, considering that he only started learning Go at the age of 13, he has made great progress in just three years, which is enough to make him a talented player of his generation.

"I appreciate everyone's kindness, but I'd rather not offer any more congratulations. No one at my level can stop me now," Yabu Eijin said confidently.

A junior brother standing nearby calmly spoke up: "Indeed, with your current skill level, Senior Brother, sweeping aside ordinary students or defeating other disciples recommended by 9-dan players should not be a problem. However, I heard that a very powerful figure has recently emerged in Peach Blossom Hall, which may hinder Senior Brother's path to victory."

"There won't be such a person, so please rest assured," said Yabu Toshihito.

Suga Seiichi said calmly, "Yabu, your junior brother is right, there is indeed such a person."

"Who is he?" Yabu gripped the porcelain cup in his hand tightly.

Suga Seiichi stroked his beard and said in a sinister voice, "It's quite a coincidence that he turned out to be my detestable junior brother, Saito Sando's only disciple."

When this news came out, everyone present was quite shaken. They knew that there was such a formidable person in Peach Blossom Village, but they really didn't know that he was Saito's disciple.

However, that's not the point. The point is... everyone has heard the teacher talk about his youth. On a stormy night, the teacher suffered a crushing 0-7 defeat in a seven-game match against Saito Sando and was expelled that very night.

This should have been a shameful and infuriating story, but the teacher spoke with remarkable composure as she recounted the experience.

Only someone determined to retaliate can speak so calmly about their dark past.

Unfortunately, both of them are now semi-retired, making it difficult for them to meet on the field. We can only hope that the next generation can solve this problem.

If you can't beat someone, train students to beat them. This applies to all fields.

That's how Kuroki and Jiang Liuer got into a stalemate.

“Saito 9-dan… no, Saito is a diviner, doesn’t he seem to have very strict requirements for students’ qualifications?” The students below thought for a moment, but decided not to use a respectful title for Saito and instead called him by his given name.

“It is indeed very demanding, otherwise I wouldn’t be taking on a disciple only now. And since his reputation has reached my ears, it proves that he is indeed capable,” Suga Seiichi said.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner that such a person existed?" Yabu Toshihito frowned at Suga Seiichi.

Some students wanted to whisper a reminder to him that it wasn't appropriate to speak to the teacher like that, but they thought better of it. This senior student had a fiery temper, and it was fair to say that if it weren't for his exceptional talent, the teacher might not have accepted him, since the teacher was a very traditional person.

The teacher calmly explained, "There are two reasons. First, he became famous very late; I only heard about him a month ago. Second, I don't want you to be impulsive and challenge him directly before the competition."

"Do you think I might lose if I challenge him?" Yabu Eijin said coldly.

“I have absolute confidence in you. However, we know of his existence, but he doesn’t know of ours. This way, we can use our covert advantage to collect his game records, while he can’t access ours. If you play against him beforehand, you’ll leave something for him to refer to, which will be detrimental to your final victory,” Suga Seiichi explained clearly.

"So, all the game records I've been working on recently are his?" Yabu Reijin recalled that recently, his teacher had indeed asked him to work on some unnamed game records. He thought they were just some exciting games played by the students, but now it seems that these game records are all by Kazuhiko.

Koji's opponent was certainly not Saito. There were no records of his games with Saito. These records were all made by him in the Peach Blossom Studio, where he played a lot of games to eliminate opponents.

This is the advantage of disciples who are recommended by a 9-dan player to participate in the ranking tournament. They can use their teacher's power to freely access the game records of the students in the academy, learn about their next opponent in advance, and also use other means to reproduce game records that should not have been kept in the academy.

Just plant a mole, it's not difficult.

Those who have the ability to infiltrate Peach Blossom Abode and observe the entire game of others are naturally capable of reviewing the outcome afterward.

In ancient times, the chess manuals of the inner gatehouses were strictly kept secret from outsiders, in order to prevent them from being stolen. Anyone who stole the chess manuals and passed them on to outsiders could be sent to the police station and locked up.

Fortunately, there aren't many ninth-dan students qualified to recommend their disciples to directly participate in the ranking tournament, and not many students can enjoy this privilege, so the commoner students in the academy group had to put up with it.

Those qualified to become a ninth-dan disciple must either be exceptionally talented or come from very wealthy families, and Yabu Eijin possesses both of these qualities, which is why Suga Seiichi can speak to him so calmly.