The work of the Go master

"In this world, we cannot compete with humans; this is an ironclad rule. If we must compete... we will have to pay a price."

"So, what is the price?" Ke Zhiguang suddenly sensed the scent of making a deal with the devil.

"The price is that if you play chess with other people in the future, both you and your opponent will forget the game you played... How about that? Does that price sound familiar?"

Zero stared intently at Ke Zhiguang, creating an eerie atmosphere like a little devil.

Hearing this price, Ke Zhiguang was indeed stunned, and he also sensed a familiar feeling.

Heart of stone......

It turns out he also had a similar god of quantum mechanics.

In pursuit of the ultimate skill in chess, he chose to bear the price and directly challenge the gods... Is that right?

“There’s one advantage to bearing this cost: you don’t have to bear it a second time,” Zero said.

"Then, he can play against the god behind him forever, and his chess skills will soar, almost giving him the first move in the world, is that right?" Ke Zhiguang suddenly felt that the logic was closed.

This was truly the first time he had realized that Shi Xin, like his opponent, couldn't remember the details of the game. "That's right, if you're willing to pay the price, you can try it. I don't object... No way, I strongly object. I can't bear to see you lonely and unable to remember your games... Playing chess with people is more important than playing against machines. That's what you said before."

A clear, bell-like sound emanated from Zero's heart, causing the surrounding light and shadows to ripple.

"These are my... original words from my past life?"

"Yes, it's definitely in the top ten of your most memorable quotes."

Ke Zhiguang gasped and looked out at the street scene.

As I said before, when you don't know where to zoom in, just shoot into the sky or the street—that'll definitely work.

After all, this is the true picture of human life.

Thank goodness... there was almost a moment when I wouldn't be able to go back.

After taking a few breaths to calm himself down, he picked up the controller again and set his sights on starting a match.

"Then... let's begin!"

Pressing the A key brings up a progress bar on the screen indicating that a match is in progress.

Match successful, a blank chessboard appears on the left side of the screen.

His opponent's portrait appeared in the upper right corner.

The game begins.

......

......

At 10:15 p.m., Ke Zhiguang also woke up from the chess game.

This was a very quick game of chess; it seemed to be over in just half an hour.

Just as Zero said, at the moment the game ended, all related memories were wiped clean, and only the final result remained.

The result of this round—is already displayed on the screen.

(1/10)

They actually won a game; Ke Zhiguang had already prepared for a bad start.

"Not bad, you actually won the first game. But I can understand, you were lucky to be matched with a not-too-strong opponent." Zero smiled and clapped, his ears twitching.

"How did the game go?" Ke Zhiguang asked.

While asking the question, he went back a column to check the game record to see if the game he had just played was recorded... but it wasn't.

"In this game, you played the white pieces, which you are good at. From the opening, you were at a huge disadvantage. From move 27 to move 96, your winning percentage kept crawling below 10%. In other words, it was a winning percentage run."

It means that the other party can play a word game while simultaneously playing chess.

"The turning point came at move 105. In a local battle, you turned the tide with a brilliant sacrifice, bringing your win rate to 46.3%. Finally, in the watertight endgame... you won by half a point. It was incredibly thrilling. If your opponent had been just a little stronger, you might not have had a chance," Zero said.

"I started playing solitaire in the opening? Was my opponent some kind of opening specialist? Like someone who's unbeatable in the opening fifty moves?" Upon hearing this title, Ke Zhiguang couldn't help but think of the bridge master.

"The opponent's opening strategy was average, but... in that era, the level of opening strategy was not important because everyone's opening strategy was the same."

Ke Zhiguang quickly figured out the meaning of this intriguing statement.

"So, the standard formula for layout has appeared?"

"Yeah, it's the standard formula. You just need to memorize the first fifty moves... How about that? Doesn't it sound kind of boring?"

"Actually, it's alright..." Ke Zhiguang smacked his lips.

Some say that the opening moves in Go should be free, because at the beginning of the game, every point on the board is a treasure trove, and countless brilliant styles have emerged from this. But once there is a standard formula, it suddenly feels like everything is locked up and becomes dull and tasteless.

Seeing Ke Zhiguang's complicated expression, Ling covered her mouth and laughed: "Okay, I was just kidding. How could there be such a thing as the first fifty moves being exactly the same? Even the standard formula has several sets of standard formulas, and on the basis of several sets of standard formulas, there are still countless branches, and on the branches there are countless doors, forming this endless maze... No two games are ever the same, and this standard still applies."

"So, if it's you, Zero, can you calculate the optimal solution for Go?" Ke Zhiguang asked, looking at his opponent.

The optimal solution in Go... This is a term full of romantic connotations.

If we compare a divine move to a dream, then the optimal solution in Go is a fantasy.

The so-called optimal solution is the most perfect game for both black and white, where both sides make the best moves at the limit, from the first move to the last.

If every Go player dreams of achieving the pinnacle of skill with a divine move, then probably no Go player wants the optimal solution in Go to be calculated, because that would mean the end of Go's supposedly infinite lifespan.

Conversely, in the pursuit of the divine hand, one is actually embarking on the path of seeking the optimal solution.

Everyone is heading towards the finish line, yet they don't want to reach it. It's a strange mentality, as if they simply enjoy the thrill of exploration.

Zero closed his eyes and shook his head: "Even if I possess such enormous computing power... I cannot reach this level. I am not a god."

A simple and clear statement, coupled with a period of silence, suddenly solved this profound and complex problem—

Making a problem meaningless is, in a sense, a problem-solving approach.

In the room bathed in the serene light and shadow, only the option buttons on the television screen flickered slowly, indicating that it wasn't stuck, making them the only moving object in the room.

The amount of information lately has been enormous, starting from our visit to Professor Hanno...

No, it started much earlier, probably from the moment I first came into contact with Go. The amount of information has always been enormous, but I've only recently had the time to calm down and process it.

However, after processing, the final exported result is quite simple... Live in the moment.

While the events of one's past life are certainly worth remembering, the connection to the past is merely a game of chess that can be forgotten at any time. It's not like a time portal has appeared, presenting an ultimate dilemma of going back or leaving.

In this world, he has built enough bonds, and there are all sorts of missions waiting for him to complete.

After thinking it over, he stretched lazily and said, "Okay, I've decided. Since I'm in high spirits right now, why don't we play another round..."

But just as he was about to continue clicking on the match, his finger paused on the A key.

Because he noticed Zero's expression.

As if sensing something, she looked out the window, her elegant, maid-like brows furrowing... though she was still quite elegant.

She then smiled calmly, as if she had discovered that "I am Roy".

"What happened?" Ke Zhiguang asked.

“Let’s go find the deer on the island of Harushima,” Zero said.

"What happened to her?"

Zero rested his cheek on his index finger as he pondered, "How should I put it? In the local dialect, it's like... the Holy Grail War is about to begin."

......

......

The rhythm subtly quickened in places unseen, and restless elements flowed erratically in the air, making tonight noisier than ever.

Although it was already 10:30 p.m., the streets were more bustling than ever before, the neon lights were more eerie than ever, and the bubbles were more intense and intoxicating.

With the conclusion of two title matches and the recent flurry of unusual chess tournaments, the activity level of fortune has reached its peak, and everyone is experiencing a strong desire to consume and go out, leading to a constant stream of promotional activities from various stores.

A news item scrolled across the electronic screen at the intersection, announcing that the Rockefeller Center, a New York landmark, had been acquired by the Mitsubishi Group. The news sparked a surge of pride throughout Japan, and the deal was later seen as a symbol of the peak of Japan's bubble economy.

Of course, this news is just one of the factors contributing to tonight's excitement.

Meanwhile, in Jiangdong District, a group of people who had just finished a celebratory meal were swaying and walking arm in arm down the street, all reeking of alcohol.

"Look! I see the Varyag aircraft carrier heading this way, and it's flying a red flag... Wait, why is the red flag written in Chinese, not Russian?" Xiong Ying said, pointing to an F-cup mannequin in a shop window not far away.

"Hiccup~ Where did the aircraft carrier and planes come from? All I saw were weapons of mass destruction... Shoot them all!" Ying Mei said, pointing to the laundry detergent on sale in the store.

"Hey, you two are way too drunk. Can't you learn from me? I'm already...!" Harushima Kashiwa pointed at the sky and rambled on, and no one knew what she saw.

"Get lost! Don't help me up, I'm not drunk. I'm already eighteen years old, I'm long past the legal drinking age!" Bai Meng also waved her arms and shouted.

The four people were carried away by Xingcai, Yuanshang Jingliu, Xingjia, and Shaogong respectively.

"Among these four people... is at least one of them of legal drinking age?" Fuchigami Shizuru asked, her eyebrows twitching in confusion.

"Alto and Horie-senpai barely made it, as for the other two, well, let's just say they didn't make it," Hoshino sighed.

The banquet was going well until Bai Meng and Qingdao Lu suddenly started competing, Xiong Ying immediately fanned the flames, and Ying Mei ordered drinks.

Then all four of them collapsed.

The mahjong plan for the next round will have to be postponed and saved for tomorrow's second round.

"Don't be stupid, grandma. Where are you going to study for the eighth grade? Are you planning to repeat four years in school?" Shao Gong complained to Bai Meng.

If I'm not mistaken, the current situation is roughly like... four normal people carrying four abnormal people as they walk.

"Alright, everyone had a great time tonight, right? Remember to keep it up tomorrow!" Xingjia said happily.

"So there really is such a thing as a second wave of banquets..." Xingcai said helplessly.

"Hey, did you guys notice?" Fuchigami Shizuru suddenly said, bringing the Inoue sisters back to their senses.

“Yes, something dangerous is approaching…” Xingjia said, looking into the distance.

Chapter Eighteen: The Night Parade of One Hundred Demons

The air was thick with the scent of materialism. Pedestrians seemed like silhouettes, and the clamor was like a backdrop. An invisible, golden-pink fog spread around, giving everyone a dizzying, hazy feeling.

Danger lurks and roams within this bustling area, like a giant python crawling along the grass.

"What's wrong? What danger?" Shao Gong asked, puzzled.