The work of the Go master

She was also gazing at Ke Zhiguang with the same profound expression.

After a long silence, she suddenly chuckled: "Don't be so serious, let's change the subject. Is there anything you particularly want for Christmas, besides the championship trophy of the Imperial Chess Tournament?"

"Does that mean you're asking me to bring anything I want, and you can give it to me?"

"Do your best."

"May the Gambian Empire live forever, may I have this?"

“Let’s find another one. This one is too far-fetched. There’s also something like the rise of the Tongliao Empire, which is not within the scope of my services.” Ling shook his head humorously, seemingly having plenty of time to ramble. “However, if you want a little sister, I might be able to grant your wish.”

"Then... I want a perfect ending, is that alright?" Ke Zhiguang looked directly into the other person's eyes, his attitude exceptionally solemn.

Zero was stunned.

"A perfect ending, everyone together, having a banquet, singing karaoke, going to arcades, telling chess jokes... cough cough, but I won't force you to do that last one." Ke Zhiguang spoke calmly, as if asking for a new promise.

It's zero.

“No problem, I’ll do my best to make it a perfect ending,” Zero said firmly.

"That's good. Let's work together," Ke Zhiguang said.

This time, she didn't use the psychological suggestion of fortune.

......

......

The sound of chess pieces falling echoed in the office, making the atmosphere particularly cold and desolate.

Not long ago, this place was bustling with people, but after last night's battle, only a handful of people remained.

"Shi Xiangxia and Fan Xiping, they've already fallen." Xiu Ce spoke desolately, glancing at an empty seat in the corner. These two usually sat here together, playing chess, quite aloof from the crowd.

Despite being both Go masters, these two have been relegated to the sidelines, with the main comedic roles falling to them, Dosaku and Isshin.

"The rain and snow are already gathering again," Dosaku said, looking at the scenery outside the window.

"What's been falling these past few days is just a light snowfall, more like a gentle snowfall than a heavy snowfall. The next few days will be the real blizzards, right?" Xiu Ce said.

"As the chess tournament progresses, Lord Kokukyo's plan seems to be getting closer and closer. I can vaguely sense that the giant tree rooted in this land is about to be burned to ashes. When it is completely burned down, a great disaster will occur, right?"

At this moment, the butler, who had been silent in the corner, spoke up: "Disaster will indeed occur, but it will only be a minor disaster for ordinary people. The real disaster will befall the chess players."

"A disaster that has befallen the Go players?" Shusaku asked in surprise.

"That's not quite right. To be precise, it applies to all fortunes... or rather, symbolic spirits." The butler narrowed his eyes.

"Symbolic spirits? This is the first time I've heard of this term. Does it mean that all symbolic spirits will perish?"

"To be precise, it was devoured. Mr. Guojing has cultivated the chess world for many years, all for this moment when all the fruits ripen, not only the fruits of fortune in chess matches, but also all the symbolic spirits."

"After he devours all of this, he will live forever, right?" Shusaku asked.

Before the butler could speak, Dao Ce interrupted, "Can this really grant immortality?"

"What do you mean?" Xiu Ce asked.

"Although the total amount of fortune in this era is extremely vast, the concept of immortality delves into the realm of the gods, and Lord Kunikyo's goal is not merely endless lifespan, but a higher level of life existence..."

"Become a god?" Xiu Ce asked directly.

"That's exactly what I mean." Dosaku nodded.

The concept of deities has also been mentioned by Yagami Kunikyo, who describes them as the highest form of fortune-telling, emotionless calculators, and faithful enforcers of laws.

However, he later added that they were a very boring bunch.

"Lord Kokukyo, do you want to become such a boring thing?"

As if the question had hit the nail on the head, the butler shrugged and smiled: "Of course not. Mr. Guojing has very strong human desires. He wants to taste stronger wines, sleep more comfortably, and women, etc... But he is already over sixty years old and has long passed the age of enjoying all of this."

Only after being reminded of this did Shusaku and Dosaku remember that this person was indeed sixty years old.

"In short, his desires are numerous and complex, not only material desires but also spiritual desires. Ordinary gods do not have desires, and Mr. Guojing certainly does not want to become one of them. What he wants to become is... a higher god, or rather, a higher human being, who can obtain all the divinity while retaining all human desires!" The butler emphasized the last part.

He continued, "Just as you said earlier, Mr. Kunikyo couldn't have become such a high-level deity by relying solely on ordinary luck. But don't forget, deities are also a part of luck... They also exist behind the players."

As the butler spoke, the rumors outside seemed to intensify, and the unseen Wood of Chess Fate stood amidst the raging fire.

In the deserted office, Yagami Kunikyo silently laid out the Go board at the table, reviewing yesterday's game with Kazuhiro. Isshin also sat quietly beside him, reviewing the game. The two of them did not react at all to the conversation of the other three, as if they were completely immersed in calculating the moves.

In the metaphysical world, Nidhogg was pulling the spears out of his body one by one, examining these divinely bestowed weapons.

The dragon's eyes trembled, reactivating the patterns engraved on the spear, transforming it into its own weapon!

With the last piece placed, Yagami Kunikyo stretched his shoulders and leaned back in his office chair.

Nidhogg's wounds healed anew, and even sharper, stronger scales grew out!

“Now we’re even, Ke Zhiguang.”

......

......

On December 21st, the screen in front of Ke Zhiguang suddenly went out with a click.

If I'm not mistaken, this situation is called a power outage.

"Hey, can you turn this power back on?" Ke Zhiguang said to Zero, who was busy working on the (10/10) series.

To be honest, he's been stuck here for quite a while, as if his path has been blocked by a gate.

"The match is about to start, and even if you turn the power back on, you won't be able to play a single game... Seriously, shouldn't you be concerned about why the power suddenly went out for no reason?"

"I don't know, but I'd guess it's just to create a pre-war atmosphere."

"Well, let's leave it at that."

After offering a brief and sincere blessing for his military success, Ke Zhiguang left home.

The surrounding area was pitch black, indicating a large-scale power outage. Countless complaints echoed in the stairwell, and the beams of flashlights flickered in the area.

The power outage affected not only this area but also some distant commercial districts. Adults were cursing, while children were overjoyed. The power company's phone lines were ringing off the hook, with the response being that there was a problem with the power system and that they were working hard to repair it.

It seems that eternal night and blizzards are on their way.

When Ke Zhiguang set off, the chess academy had already set off as well, and they would get together to encourage each other as usual.

"Come on, come on, one more round!"

"One more game? My foot! Who knows, our losing streak from a 1-0 deficit to be reverse swept 2-0 might have started with that one of your predictions!"

"Ke Zhiguang's team came back from a 0-2 deficit to win 3-2..."

"Get out! Shut up!"

As the special vehicles set off, the seeds of war were once again sent to every corner of Tokyo.

The two sides, who had just played against each other the day before yesterday, met again. The bleak north wind blew the snow on the steps. The chess players took their seats with folding fans in hand, waiting for the game to begin.

Ke Zhiguang also arrived at the foot of Tokyo Tower, where the power supply was still abundant, and it stood like a god in the center of Tokyo.

Today's match will be held at a higher vantage point.

At a height of over 250 meters, there was almost an observation post. In Ke Zhiguang's memory, Conan once jumped from here and used his helmet to eject and take down a distillery's armed helicopter.

Using Conan as an example like this is really unlucky.

Clearing his mind, Ke Zhiguang entered the giant tower and ascended step by step in the elevator.

Continue climbing to 250 meters, then switch to walking, using the steel safety ladder to continue upwards.

The wind and snow swept down from the horizon.

Chapter Forty-Eight: The Fierce Chess Game in the Snow

Snow and wind blanketed the top of Tokyo Tower.

A chessboard sits in this open area, with an iron frame above it blocking the falling snow, but unable to stop the snowflakes drifting in from the side, let alone the howling cold air.

Yagami Kunikyo sat quietly in front of the chessboard, his calm and composed demeanor showing no sign of the danger of being on the edge of a cliff.

This is truly the top of Tokyo. A vast, chilling aura swirls around, making the world below seem both ethereal and elusive, as if one has arrived in a place far removed from civilization.

The clanging of footsteps came from below; it was the sound unique to walking on the iron safety ladder.

Not long after, Ke Zhiguang appeared in the other party's field of vision, with fine snowflakes on his shoulders and head.

"I thought the environment on the top floor would be a bit better, but I didn't expect it to be so simple." Ke Zhiguang's gaze swept around.

This height is like a sheer cliff, with the surrounding buildings all below the horizon, and only a gray, hazy sky visible.

The only light source came from a chandelier on an iron frame overhead, which even made the atmosphere seem simple, as if one had traveled into an ancient poem... Lonely mountain and flying snow, stone pavilion and chessboard.

Fortunately, both sides have maxed out their cold resistance, making them fully capable of waging a long game of chess in this place independent of the rest of the world.

"Well then, enough with the small talk, let's get started." Ke Zhiguang sat down in front of the chessboard and made the gesture of taking a piece.

At this stage, all the pre-match discussions have been completed, and both sides have tacitly agreed to this.

The first piece is placed—

On the distant horizon, a dragon-shaped figure rapidly expands, black spears rise like battle flags, and the entire sea is filled with turbulent waves.

Nidhogg has returned, in a more powerful form.

Several spears, arranged in a wheel shape, spread out on its back, each gleaming with a chilling light. Indeed, it had forged its own weapon... This scene evoked images of a famous general on the battlefield, carrying a flag array and iron spear, charging into the enemy's camp.

The decisive battle has begun!

The four corners are now occupied.

The same small star opening.

On his fifth move, Yagami Kunikyo raised his black piece high...

A ferocious roar erupted from Nidhogg's chest, shattering the sound barrier layer by layer!

It drew a spear from its back and hurled it with the force to pierce the world!

A black storm swept in from the sea and crashed straight down on the top of the Tokyo Tower!

"Let's begin our final battle."