The work of the Go master

Even so, at this point, the necessary details have been finalized, and the differences between the two sides are crystal clear.

"This... does this mean that in the very end, Shi Xin will win this game as the final outcome of the ten-game match?" someone asked in surprise.

"But the two of them are still playing, and they show no sign of letting up."

As the sun continued to sink, the sunset grew increasingly enchanting and magnificent. The chessboard, positioned perfectly in the center of the sunset, seemed to be absorbing the essence of heaven and earth.

The two players stood motionless in the setting sun, each placing a piece with unwavering resolve. The light seemed to imbue them with a sacred bronze aura, and neither showed the slightest sign of relaxation, remaining completely focused.

Place a piece... place a piece... keep placing pieces! Every piece is imbued with fighting spirit!

Ke Zhiguang had no idea he had lost the game! Shi Xin also had no idea he had won!

Both sides' expressions remained the same as at the beginning, filled with anxiety and a sense of unease. Neither of them made a move with a relaxed attitude, nor did they follow along with the other as if they understood each other.

What's going on? The score is clearly known, and both sides must have figured everything out, but judging from their actions, it seems that the game is far from over!

All the players watching the game re-examined the board and counted the points precisely. They were sure they had overlooked something, and the two players in the game had both noticed it!

"Hey! What are the rules for this game? Is it the counting method or the point-counting method?" Harushima Shika suddenly realized something and grabbed the people around him to ask.

The counting method and the point-counting method are two basic criteria for judging the outcome of Go, but in essence, neither of the rules affects the final result, so most people don't care.

Only in one extremely special case will these two rules of winning produce drastically different judgments.

After the robbery was completed!

“That’s right, this round was decided by the number of points!” Someone pulled out the relevant rules and regulations.

After the ko is captured, it is a special winning method that only exists in the counting method.

It refers to a situation where all the single-card moves have been played, leaving only the last single-card ko. When one side wins the ko fight, the losing side is forced to stop playing because all the single-card moves have been played.

Under the rule of numbers, even if you win a single ko fight, you can only recover by one point, and you will still inevitably lose by half a point in the end.

However, under the counting rule, if the opponent stops making a move, it means they gain another point, and the game can instantly change from a half-point loss to a half-point win!

This is the most subtle victory, even more subtle than a typical half-point win. It's so subtle that any change in the rules for determining the winner would rewrite the outcome!

By the time everyone realized what was happening, all the single-pointed pieces on the chessboard had been captured, leaving only one single-piece ko fight stuck on the top line of the board, which would become the final decisive point!

Ke Zhiguang gently adjusted his breathing, his chess piece already poised to strike. Shi Xin also gathered his own chess piece in his palm, pouring all his strength into it.

It was a truly long ten-game match.

It's like a journey, having seen many landscapes and witnessed the lives of many people along the way.

On the other hand, it is also very short, as short as a marathon sprint, with the finish line just around the corner and crowds cheering on both sides of the track.

It's time to sprint across the finish line and lift the sacred championship trophy!

"Shi Xin! I'm so glad to know you!" Ke Zhiguang shouted in a desperate cry.

Take him!

In Ke Zhiguang's mind, everything seemed to play in slow motion. The captured chess piece flipped and flew into the sky before falling into the nearby chess piece graveyard.

The expressions on everyone's faces were clearly visible at that moment: some were shocked, some were amazed, and some were calm.

But more than anything, there was anticipation and excitement; some familiar faces even struck poses that looked like they were about to cheer and jump for joy.

When it's Stoneheart's turn, time suddenly speeds up!

He sought robbery, he demanded robbery! His fierce style became like wild ink splashed from a wolf-hair brush.

"Now, this ten-game match has reached its final moment. Who will win the title of the strongest player in the Go world depends on a mere half-point difference!"

This is undoubtedly the most valuable half-point in history, even if there is no prize money in this game!

Propose a robbery! Seek out a robbery! Propose a robbery! Seek out a robbery!

The pressure of the fifteen-second countdown was felt not only by the two players in the game, but by everyone... The onslaught was like a raging storm, and the furious dragon broke through the dam!

Both sides are running out of resources like water!

In the corner of the chessboard, a ko threat was launched, followed by a capture and a stab. In this narrow space, several ko threats were launched!

The single bend of the cliff is full of small sharp points, and it fills the tiger's mouth with its own attacks. Every move it makes is unbelievable, but after careful calculation, it is just right, minimizing the opponent's use of its own resources!

"Is it really okay for him to make those moves?"

"Verification complete, no problem. Even if White plays another move here, it's fine. There's a self-contained move here, which is just enough to kill the opponent quickly with one move."

"Incredible... truly incredible. These two have far exceeded our comprehension..."

Ten moves! Fifteen moves! Twenty moves!

What happened next was even more unbelievable!

Even after nearly three hundred moves, the game shows no signs of stopping. In the midst of the ko fight, each move is essentially equivalent to two moves, with pieces capturing each other. Although the board still appears to have plenty of space, nearly three hundred and thirty moves have actually been played! An unprecedentedly long game!

Sweat dripped from their foreheads, falling drop by drop onto the chessboard.

The consumption of materials is like the final few meters of the sprint in this long race. Every single material must be used, because every single material is more precious than a single piece of material.

Calculations are meaningless at this moment; simply empty your mind and enjoy the moment.

Let the pieces fall according to their own weight, let memories of the past sweep past like dust in the wind, this is the meaning of this game of chess at this moment.

Shi Xin's brow twitched twice, as if a crack had appeared.

Ke Zhiguang's smile lingered, despite his extreme exhaustion.

The sun had set, the evening breeze swirled in the night sky, and the only light source in the room was the flowing moonlight.

It was as if everything had returned to its original tranquility.

Finally... finally it's all over.

"Ke Zhiguang... It is my greatest honor to fight against you!" Shi Xin's voice trembled slightly, and sweat, both gratified and exhausted, parted in front of his nose.

It was as if the light had pierced his soul, causing his consciousness to lean back in a blur of light.

"On the 348th move, Ke Zhiguang won by half a point after sticking to the ko!"

Long after the sound faded, time began to flow again.

Cheers erupted.

Fireworks rose into the sky above Tokyo, creating colorful shapes.

For more than a month, Tokyo had been shrouded in gloom, but tonight it has become cheerful and lively again, with everyone applauding.

The moment Koji Hikaru was declared the winner, he collapsed onto the tatami mat, as if he had used up all his strength.

But then, rainbow-like streaks of light appeared in the distance, and his pupils reflected the starry sky and the fireworks display of the night.

"I won?" he seemed to be talking to himself, and his weight suddenly became much lighter, perhaps as if he were flying in the sky.

In fact, he did fly in the sky, lifted up by the crowd on both sides and tossed into the air.

"Aha! Take this!" Harushima Shika suddenly stepped forward and slashed at Koji Hikaru's cheeks with a pair of scissor-like arms.

"What's wrong?" Ke Zhiguang asked.

"Didn't you ask if you won? I'm letting you feel the pain, to help you face reality," said Harushima Shika.

"To be honest, that didn't hurt much..."

"Ah!" As if mocked for "using a little more force," Harushima Kakashi really increased the pressure.

"And now?"

"Now……"

Ke Zhiguang closed his eyes and meditated for a moment.

The uniquely warm and refreshing air of a spring night, with starlight flying all over the sky, even though the city center was so far away, it felt like I could hear their cheers.

And there's that slightly burning sensation on my face... a mysterious pain.

"Yes, it really hurts now."

"See? I told you it was true... Wait, what are you doing? Put me down!" Suddenly, Harushima Deer was hoisted into the air by Koji Hikaru and spun around.

"Well, I'm in pain, so it wouldn't be right for you not to feel pain too, would it?" Ke Zhiguang said with a smile.

"Ugh! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I hit too hard just now! I was wrong!" Harushima Shika shouted, swinging her limbs and ponytail. "I love you! I love you, is that okay now?"

"Okay, that's pretty much it." After spinning around in place for a dozen times, Ke Zhiguang finally put the Qingdao Deer down.

He also started to feel dizzy, whether from spinning for too long or for some other reason.

Everything right now is just like this, so beautiful it's intoxicating.

"Ke Zhiguang." Shi Xin's voice rang out, and everyone automatically parted to make way for him.

The cheering crowd stopped abruptly, watching Shi Xin walk towards Ke Zhiguang, as if witnessing the coronation of a new king.

Shi Xin stood before Ke Zhiguang, as if she had a thousand words to say, yet also as if she only needed a single glance to convey her message.

After a long while, he solemnly said, "You are already a chess master."

"I am already a Go master." Ke Zhiguang nodded and accepted the crown.

Under the moonlight, Ke Zhiguang walked to the balcony of Youxuan Temple and came outdoors.

Outside, the area was packed with people, and inside the courtyard of Youxuan Temple, countless lights were lit, drawing hundreds and thousands of gazes.

With the addition of mirrors and flashlights, Ke Zhiguang stood at the very center of the world stage.

Ke Zhiguang held a white chess piece high into the air with a gesture of holding a piece.

"I am now the Go Saint!" he announced to the world.

A sea of ​​starlight surged beneath him, and the gates of a new era opened in the light.

Chapter Fifteen: This book has reached its destination. See you in the next one!

The celestial wheel of fate continues to spin, hanging at the highest point of the world, with brilliant starlight revolving around it, endlessly repeating the cycle.

The cacophony of cicadas filled the air; it was already the end of summer, and the blazing sun was nothing but embers.

At Haneda Airport, Koji Hikaru leisurely stepped off the plane, and the familiar scenery unfolded before his eyes, along with the unique sea breeze of Tokyo.

"Yo, long time no see." Harushima Kashima pouted as she waited at the airport exit.