The work of the Go master

"Let's leave such a bitter thing as red wine to Yagami Kunikyo. Let's enjoy the delicious Strawberry Ruby." Koshikawa Tatsumi said, swirling his wine glass with just the right amount of force to keep the wine from spilling.

“You called us here, surely it wasn’t just to let us listen to you play the zither?” Xuan Yuzhi asked.

“No, playing the piano is the main activity. If you don’t believe me, you can feel yourself carefully now,” said Koshikawa Tatsumi.

Upon hearing this, Xuan Yuzhi carefully examined his current state.

A strange power surged within me, like the song of chaos.

The condition... has reached perfection.

Xuan Yuzhi looked astonished.

“That’s right, a perfect state. We must have what our opponents have, otherwise this game would be too unfair.” Tatsumi Koshikawa snapped his fingers loudly.

Shizuru Fuchigami also felt the power entering his body.

Although it's touted as being in perfect condition, it doesn't feel comfortable to the eye.

She unconsciously lowered her head and suddenly noticed something like a shadow moving.

Like tentacles, shadows spread out from beneath Ryūki Koshikawa's feet, enveloping the feet of the other four.

Before long, the perfect state transfer was completed, and the shadows all returned to the feet of Koshikawa Ryuki.

Shizuru Fuchigami's shoulders twitched, feeling a bit numb.

Who knows, the boss might actually be an octopus monster or something...

After remaining silent for a long time, Inoue Masakado finally spoke: "Is this... the power of the 'Dragon Throne'?"

"Pretty much, but it's a perfectly reasonable ability that doesn't violate any rules. In comparison, Yagami Kunikyo making those old men young again is cheating," said Koshikawa Tatsumi.

There is a reasonable explanation for this. It's similar to getting a full spa treatment before a match; it's a way to improve one's competitive state.

In ancient times, some people would listen to the shamisen, some would drink tea, and soaking in hot springs has been a tradition from ancient times to the present.

As for whether anyone will choose to have sex... that's hard to say. From a scientific point of view, having sex is harmful to the body, but it's also possible that someone might have sex before a major battle and somehow unlock their full potential.

Xuan Yu was taken aback: "Wait, they've regained their youth?"

Ryūki Koshikawa held up one finger: "Shh, don't make a sound, be careful... that 'they' will hear you."

Xuan Yu wisely shut up.

As someone who had once held the title of champion, he had been told what "they" were.

The magnificent power of nature should not be disturbed.

"Since listening to the zither is the primary purpose, what about the secondary purpose?" asked Shizuru Fuchigami.

"The secondary purpose is to have everyone witness a ceremony."

He took a wooden box out from under the piano tabletop, clearly something he had prepared beforehand.

“There must be something ominous inside. If you intend to use it, I hope you will refrain from doing so,” Inoue Masakado said solemnly.

"Don't worry, I've already thrown away all the ominous things into the sea. Even if they were still there, I wouldn't use them. This is the incomparably sacred Dragon Throne Battle, which is watching from above. How could I dare to act recklessly?"

What's inside?

"It's just a seed."

"Can you open it and let us take a look?" Xuan Yu asked.

“That won’t do. If we open it… it will disappear. It only exists when it’s not visible.” Ryūki Koshikawa pressed his five fingers on the wooden box.

"Is this... Schrödinger's cat?" asked Shizuru Fuchigami.

Nishi Chiaki asked, "Schrödinger's cat? What's that?"

She replied, "Quantum mechanics and other metaphysical concepts are difficult to explain. In short, the boss means that there is indeed something inside, but it's not something we should be looking at."

"Very good. I like a knowledgeable and sensible girl like you, Shizuru."

"Although I rate you very highly, boss, it's really bothering me that you like me so much," she said casually.

"Oh, that's a really disheartening answer... Just kidding. Now, please witness this ceremony, it's very simple."

After saying that, he went to the balcony outside the French windows and held the wooden box containing the "seeds" high in the air.

With a burst of strength, he threw it into the sea.

A small wave was created, but it was quickly submerged in the wake left by the ship.

"The ceremony is over."

“It’s simpler than I thought,” Shizuru replied.

Tatsumi Koshikawa did not explain his reason for doing so: "Alright, everyone, go back to your rooms and rest. Tomorrow is the last day of rest. After tomorrow, the world will become very scary."

In the deep sea, a wooden box slowly sinks into the darkness.

It suddenly opened automatically, and a strangely shaped seed floated out from inside.

An evil purple light emanated from above, plunging into the deeper abyss, like a sacrifice offered to the deep sea.

......

......

The tide receded, and the sun rose the next day.

The Ryugu soon came to a stop and docked in a fine harbor in the Pacific Ocean.

Throughout the journey, it maintained this stop-and-go pace, traversing the islands of Southeast Asia, occasionally letting off a group of passengers and having another group board, like metabolism, forever maintaining its own vitality and prosperity.

At 10 a.m., Ke Zhiguang woke up naturally, opened the window, and felt the first salty sea breeze of the morning.

It's called sea salt, and you don't even need to wash your mouth; it instantly wakes you up.

Yesterday's celebration lasted until 11:30 p.m., and Harushima Deer drank himself into a stupor. Being able to drink fruit wine until he passed out is quite an ability.

Kojimitsu recalled what happened yesterday: defeating the 9-dan player, playing against Saito, and learning certain secrets, etc.

There's no need to think so much, just win everything.

With that thought in mind, he went out, intending to spend the day peacefully.

With perfect form, there's no need to worry about being out of practice; you can just think about how to start a game while lying in bed at night.

As soon as the door opened, a cry of "Ouch!" came from right in front of me.

The deer stumbled and fell to the floor, the hem of her sailor dress billowing up...

Normally, it would display "[Peach Blossom Event Triggered Successfully]".

"Damn it! You planned this all along, didn't you!" Harushima Shika hurriedly covered her hem and sat on the ground like a duck.

"Ah, the weather is so nice, the moon is so round tonight... Hey, Harushima, why are you sitting on the ground?" Ke Zhiguang first looked up into the distance, then looked down, pretending to notice the other person by chance.

"It's not even evening yet!"

"Oh, sorry, sorry, I'm still dreaming... Are you sober now?"

"Hmph, I see on TV all the time that middle-aged office workers have a headache all day the next day after a hangover, but in reality, it's just like that," Harushima Kashima said smugly.

It's just fruit wine, after all.

"Hey, what should we do today? Should we focus on preparing and warming up, or go out and have some fun?" she asked.

Ke Zhiguang looked the other person up and down.

With his bag already slung over his shoulder, hat on, and sandals on, he's still asking about today's itinerary...

Sensing Keiji's gaze, Harushima Shika tensed her reserved shoulders and coughed, saying, "After all, my next opponent is only Fuchigami Shizuru, so there's not much pressure. In other words, I'm the only one in the team who has the right to relax!"

As she finished speaking, she confidently grinned, revealing her pearly white teeth.

"Okay, I have no right to relax. I'm going back to my room to set up the chessboard." Ke Zhiguang turned his head, pretending to go back to his room.

"Stop, stop, stop! You're not... um, I mean... you actually deserve to take a break too!" Harushima Kashika hurriedly grabbed Koji Hikaru.

"No, no, no, I'm not qualified, I'm not qualified. I don't even know what Koshikawa Tatsumi's playing style looks like yet. I need to train harder." Ke Zhiguang continued to push his way in.

"Okay, okay! Please take me out to play! Just for a little while! Please!" Harujima Deer's sandals left marks on the carpet.

Finally, they told the truth.

There's a strangely satisfying feeling of interrupting someone's spellcasting.

Although our team consists of five people, we have already formed a group: the Sisters Group and the Real Men Group led by Duanzi. As a result, Ke Zhiguang and Qingdaolu were forced to form a group.

After breakfast, the two of them strolled around the cruise ship, from bow to stern, and then onto land, wandering around the beautiful harbor with its stunning sea views. The afternoon passed quickly.

Today is a rare good day; the sun, which had been hidden for several days, is showing its face for the first time.

Ke Zhiguang had a feeling that this would be the best weather of the next few days.

As the afternoon passed, the sea turned orange-blue again, and the evening breeze, like a song, echoed across its surface.

Chapter Seventy-Nine: The Tsunami Is Coming

"As usual, today we'll talk about chess!"

After the commercials ended, the program officially began, and it started with this iconic line.

Crystal-like chandeliers hung from the sky, rotating and casting shimmering light, making each chessboard sparkle.

"We've finally arrived at the final stage of the Dragon Throne Battle... or rather, the preparatory battles before the final stage. These four battles will directly determine the time allotted and the countdown time for the final three-game match between the two main generals."

"The entire Dragon Throne Tournament is a bold attempt at rule innovation. Although many chess fans jokingly refer to this Dragon Throne Tournament as the Women's Tournament + the Accessory Tournament, this does not affect the actual quality of the competition. Famous games are created every day."

The "Hanging Piece Battle" refers to this final challenge match. The outcome of the four games only determines the time allotted for the final three games. Rather than the general leading four teammates to the top, it's more accurate to say that the general is leading four "hanging pieces" in a battle.

Before the official match began, the commentators hyped it up, creating a buzz and boosting the show's ratings to a small peak. In Tokyo, all the Go halls switched their programming to the upcoming Dragon Throne match. Go enthusiasts flocked to the Go halls not to play, but to set up Go games.

"You absolutely must win the Dragon Throne title! Ke Zhiguang, bring glory to our chess club!"

"Princess Qingdao is no exception! Don't let us down!"

"Well... their achievements seem to have nothing to do with your nurturing..."

Inside the mountain ward, the chess hall run by shop manager Lin Ying was as lively and silly as ever, while he himself sat contentedly reading the newspaper.

The editorial office, with its black and white backdrop, was filled with a harmonious atmosphere.