The work of the Go master

A black card exuding an ominous aura lay in the center of the empty wooden board, like a Pandora's box waiting to be opened.

That sense of impending crisis has returned.

The first time he faced the Dragon's Scroll of Life and Death, the second time he faced Ghidorah, he used the power of sacrifice. Whenever he faced a boss-level enemy, the god of quantum mechanics would give him such a double-edged sword.

Prepare yourself mentally, then pick it up and examine it.

Stinging at the black, snake-like flames, he subconsciously frowned.

[Skill Scroll: Phone Card that can only be used once]

【——】

Familiar taste.

An explanation without any elaboration, more sinister than the power of sacrifice, reaching the same level as the Scroll of Life and Death.

What's even stranger is that its name is completely harmless compared to the previous two lethal items. If it weren't for the black flames floating on it, Ke Zhiguang would have destroyed it right now. After all, it's always good to have more skills.

Judging from the name, the effect is probably to gain the ability to communicate in the brain, just like the previous conversations with Xingjia, where there was stereo sound from all directions.

So, where exactly does this interesting and convenient ability become dangerous?

Or rather, under what dangerous circumstances should it be used?

Who should I call now?

【use or not? 】

[Yes/No?]

Nonono.

A strong sense of unease made Ke Zhiguang pull his fingers back.

This is not a passively used tool, but an actively used tool.

You only get one chance, so you have to seize it at the right time.

Although he can't imagine this crisis no matter how hard he tries.

Let's skip this layer for now and continue downwards.

The fourth layer, the last layer of the box.

The first player to move always wins.

This little card with a message is its final encouragement. The card is decorated with colorful animal pictures, which are quite child-friendly and seem to be the work of Shireshima Kashima.

The principle of "winning by going first" doesn't necessarily mean playing black, but rather requires daring to play aggressively and take the initiative.

As mentioned before, the hot-tempered Korean boy who once boasted that he would defeat all the ninth dan players with his low rank of third dan gave his eldest disciple the teaching motto "The first move always wins." To this day, this phrase is still posted in Chinese characters in front of the disciple's chessboard as a constant reminder.

A warm, gentle breeze greets you, like a spring breeze lightly kissing the lake's surface.

Got it, the first move always wins, right?

This doesn't need to be taught by the god of quantum mechanics, but sometimes it does require someone to remind you of this.

Father, like son.

And so, the final leg of the preparations came to a successful conclusion.

The treasure map quest has officially ended. (1/1)

There's only one this time.

The rhythmic throttle is on, officially accelerating.

Chapter Seventy begins with cherry blossoms and opens with a torrential downpour.

In mid-to-late March, a pink tide of cherry blossoms swept across Japan, and hurried footsteps stepped on the cherry blossom petals on the steps as they entered the gates of the Go Institute.

"Ke Zhiguang's team members have been decided, and it's actually this one!"

The scout, who had rushed over, slammed the newspaper on the table, attracting the attention of everyone around.

By this point, almost all teams have finalized their roster, and each team will be featured in industry newspapers.

Just last night, Ke Zhiguang's team was officially announced.

"What? Besides the vice-general being a female player, there are two other female players?"

"I knew early on that this guy wouldn't stick to teaming up with a bunch of male players, but I didn't expect him to find two!"

"Damn it! They actually brought out Inoue Hoshino, and even her sister! Is this guy trying to provoke us? Is this how you play the sisterly combo?"

"Brothers, we have to crush the reopening of the Science and Technology Warfare Research Association!"

To this, Yamaoka could only sigh silently: "That's just like him..."

The chess academy is still full of energy today, with everyone competing fiercely in an extremely competitive environment.

Starting with the blooming cherry blossoms, an even more magnificent banquet is about to begin.

......

......

Ke Zhiguang's team has also begun formal training, continuing to use the same chess hall they used to frequent, which will remain their training base until the competition officially begins.

Opposite the chessboard in the center of the room, Xingjia sat upright, her long hair cascading down to the tatami mat.

The deer on the opposite side bared its small teeth and occasionally let out a fierce low bark, as if it was unhappy that its territory had been invaded.

Xingjia calmly took a sip of tea: "Come on, let's begin our training today."

"So, you really became our teammate just like that..." Harushima Shika said with a dark face.

Although I readily agreed to Ke Zhiguang's request to let Xing join the team, I still feel quite annoyed when she actually appears in front of me.

"What does it matter? Look, you voted in favor of Xingcai joining. As someone with higher chess skills, I should be more likely to accept it."

But Xingjia then changed the subject, as if she had a toothache, and blinked as she said, "Or is it that you oppose my joining for some other reason? Like... I threaten your special status? Long'er?"

Their eyes began to gleam with a fierce expression on one side and a sly, mischievous smile on the other.

On the other side of this match room is the match room for Koji Mitsu and Taketsukata Toki.

Ke Zhiguang could faintly sense the ear-piercing sound of electric sparks coming from the next room. The aura was particularly strong, as if the two of them would collide head-on and fight with their twin ahoge and twin ponytails at any moment.

Hmm... Sure enough, girls with similar strength and status tend to fight easily when they're in the same room, just like in a girls' dormitory.

Hopefully, they can use this as an opportunity to compete effectively.

Next door to the room was a private kitchen that Shiquan prepared just for Xingcai.

Xingcai remained seated with a restrained posture, watching the kind and amiable young man in front of her slowly sip his tea like an old man.

Like I said before, he's a nice guy, but it's a shame he's bald.

"Miss Xingcai," Shi Quan said calmly.

"Yes!" Xingcai straightened her body.

"Haha, no need to be so tense, just relax." Shi Quan waved with a smile, but then became serious. "Miss Xingcai, your only target is your father, Mr. Jiangmen, isn't it?"

“Yes, that’s exactly what motivates me.” Xingcai nodded.

“Very good. Rather than achieving specific results, I appreciate this clear desire to defeat a specific opponent even more. At least that’s how it was in our time… Without further ado, let’s begin.”

With a deep breath, Shi Quan straightened his back.

His gaze, his posture, and an indescribable aura emanated from him.

A chess piece dripped down, and a cosmic sense of vacuum enveloped everything.

Everyone was completely absorbed in the game, their pupils constantly constricting as they scanned the changing graphics.

Meanwhile, in Ke Zhiguang's room, the small dagger that had been displayed as a trophy in the cabinet began to glow and emit a series of chimes when no one was watching.

The "Talent of a General" effect has been activated, increasing the training efficiency of all teammates, but the extent of the increase varies from person to person.

......

......

Night falls, neon lights come back on, and the evening breeze stirs up a cacophony.

The billboards advertising the Dragon Throne Battle were prominently displayed on the street, edged in gold, as if inviting a grand gambling event.

The countdown has begun; there's only one month and a half left.

After finishing his training for the day, Saito strolled home slowly, bathed in moonlight and the shadows of the city.

He smoked a cigar all the way to his doorstep, and there was still half left, but he didn't want to bring it into his house, so he simply extinguished it nearby, and also got rid of the smell of smoke on his body.

Then I entered the house, a high-rise apartment building in the central area of ​​Chiyoda, ordinary yet expensive.

"Dad, you're back?" Saito's son greeted him.

"Grandpa, welcome home!" A cheerful girl came up to him, with a healthy wheat-colored complexion and a lively ponytail.

The virtuous daughter-in-law is cooking in the kitchen, and the housekeeper is with her.

Saito ruffled his granddaughter's hair, admiring her pearly white teeth, and handed her trench coat to his son, who had hung it on a hanger nearby.

If the camera were to cut horizontally, Saito would appear with a tense and serious expression as he entered the room, smoking a cigar while pondering questions about the previous game.

But once inside, the somber and tense atmosphere vanished. He walked from one end of the window to the other, removing another layer of his trench coat, gradually shedding his armor until he finally sat down on the sofa in the living room, becoming an ordinary old man enjoying his family time.

"You've worked hard. How's the preparation for the competition going?" his son asked from the side.

"So-so. I'll rest at home for the day, but I won't be able to rest for a while," Saito said, picking up today's Go world newspaper.

Then I immediately saw the official announcement of the lineup for Kezhiguang.

"Hmph, this kid always manages to come up with something new." Saito couldn't help but smile.

"Grandpa, Grandpa, who's more amazing, you or Ke Zhiguang?" the granddaughter asked, coming closer.

“Of course it’s Grandpa, but when you grow up, you’ll definitely be the most amazing one.” Saito rolled his eyes at her.

After dealing with his granddaughter, he said to his son, "Hey, find the scarf your mother knitted for me, I want to take it with me."

"That scarf is already so torn, are we still going to take it out and use it?" the son asked.