The work of the Go master

Kiyonuma handed the other party a sign marked "2," and the other party reluctantly handed over a sign marked "1."

Bai Meng whispered, "He seems to really have the ability to see through other people's true chess skills at a glance. He also saw through my chess skills at a glance before."

Ke Zhiguang also noticed it.

Each guest who enters here has a plaque indicating their rank. After finding a table and sitting down, they place the plaque in plain sight, welcoming any opponent they may challenge.

It gives off the feeling of a game lobby, all it's missing is an automatic matchmaking system.

Judging from their attire alone, the guests here are all quite wealthy, but there are also some down-on-their-luck young men in shabby suits trying to maintain appearances, wandering around the chess hall looking for rich people to be their opponents.

On one side are rich people looking for fun, and on the other side are werewolves trying to take a piece of flesh from the rich people... I guess that's a fair term?

The amount wagered by this group was indeed quite large, starting at 3, but just as Qingdaolu said, the maximum was 20.

Sometimes the wealthier party will be more generous, betting 6 against 3.

Depending on the skill level of both players, there may be handicaps, bets, and other similar arrangements.

If everyone can truly earn their rank based on their abilities, this place is actually a legitimate venue with no major problems, and it shows a good business sense.

But the problem is—

There is still a group of people who have not yet entered the chess hall, waiting for other arrangements.

This group of people, including Bai Meng, consisted of seven people, almost all of whom were symbolic spirits who had been corrupted.

The art style resembles a plaza from a dark pet-raising game, giving viewers goosebumps.

"Sorry to keep you all waiting." After dealing with some miscellaneous matters, Kiyonuma Yuzawa walked out of the store again, revealing a kind and gentle boss-like appearance.

"Ke-kun was surprisingly punctual today," Kiyonuma Yuzawa said.

"It's amazing that you could recognize me in the crowd." Ke Zhiguang clearly remembered that he and this person were separated by a wall and could not see each other.

"If you don't want to be recognized at a glance, it's best not to exude such a strong aura," Kiyonuma Yuzawa said, looking at the other person.

"Can you tell how strong I am right now?"

“Well…” Kiyonuma Yuzawa frowned and stared intently at Kazuki Hikaru.

He remained silent for a long time.

"That's really strange, I couldn't even tell," Kiyonuma Yuzawa said with a laugh, patting his head.

Who knows if he's lying or not.

"There are seven challengers tonight, more than usual. This means my match with you, Ke Jun, might have to be delayed for a long time."

"Well, I don't really care about that. But after facing so many people in a row, you might not be able to keep up with my stamina."

"Alright, I appreciate your straightforwardness. Now, let's begin the challenge. First person, please step forward."

.....

.....

The ground on the commercial street had darkened, stray cats came out to forage for food, and drunkards leaned against telephone poles to sleep. Everything was quiet.

This underground Go hall was actually quite quiet. Someone lost a game and tried to overturn the table, but was quickly dragged out by staff members dressed in old-fashioned waiter uniforms.

The challenge match was held in a small room on the inner side of the room, with the door tightly closed. Only the game records were passed out and then placed on the large chessboard in the center of the chess hall's living room.

It looks like the first guy to go in isn't holding on much longer.

Suddenly, the door to the challenge room opened, and the first player walked out dejectedly.

"You're just admitting defeat like that?" Ke Zhiguang couldn't understand. This was a game where you staked your life's fortunes on something. At least finish it. Why give up when you're at such a disadvantage?

The second person dusted himself off and calmly walked into the game room.

At this rate, it will soon be Bai Meng's turn; she will be the seventh.

The atmosphere was incredibly tense for the challenger. He wanted to continue studying the previously decided position on the board, but he was too nervous to make a move. He could only watch Kiyonuma Yuzawa's game on the large board absentmindedly.

Ke Zhiguang glanced at the counter; the lottery shop over there had already opened for business.

"I have to go and enter the prize draw."

According to the instructions on the treasure map, the last chess manual is there.

Chapter Sixty-Five: The Scroll of Life and Death

It's truly puzzling why a store like this would have a raffle game.

The price is 2000 for one draw, which is outrageous.

The most valuable prize is actually a hot spring trip to Hokkaido. Summer hasn't even arrived yet, and they're already organizing a winter trip. What a business genius!

The second prize is a fan signed by a professional Go player, which is quite interesting.

Ke Zhiguang was reminded and felt that he also needed such a thing to show off, to pounce on it and distract the opponent, as a kind of underhanded tactic.

"4036," Ke Zhiguang read out the treasure map's instruction number.

Reduce by ¥2000.

"Okay, congratulations on drawing this little bag." The waitress, dressed in a modern maid outfit, handed Ke Zhiguang a small brocade pouch.

This time, no books were sent. Ke Zhiguang hasn't even touched the three books he received before, so another one would be too much for him to handle.

Suppressing my racing heart, I opened the bag with the overwhelming excitement of a pilgrim—

[Special Item: Scroll of Life and Death]

[Essential items for madmen]

A name that is shocking.

It was burning with intense black flames, just like the chess manuals and flyers I had seen at Bai Mengyinyu's house.

However, the aura of this "Scroll of Life and Death" is significantly stronger, with a radiation intensity several times that of those chess manuals.

Ke Zhiguang swallowed hard, feeling such intense fear for the first time in his life.

That concludes its explanation, but judging from its name, Ke Zhiguang can guess its general meaning.

It's probably similar to a challenge ticket, used to challenge other people.

The success rate should be as high as 100%.

The stakes involved in using it are likely beyond imagination, whether against an enemy or against oneself.

Is this what awaits him at the end of the treasure map...?

The fact that this thing was revealed at this time clearly indicates that it was intended for use against Kiyonuma Yuzawa.

Ke Zhiguang thought for a moment, then put the scroll away; it wasn't time to use it yet.

To be honest, this shouldn't be considered cowardly, right? Although I'd be happy to beat Swamp Bro up and rid society of a menace, it's not to the point of a life-or-death struggle. Besides, this is a chess game, it shouldn't result in anyone dying, right?

Let's first investigate how it died, at least not in a physical sense.

It is very likely that it symbolizes the death of the spirit.

A second item fell out of the bag—

It's actually a character description card for Kiyonuma Yuzawa.

He was once a bright and cheerful young man, but repeated failures and ridicule completely destroyed his path in chess. However, that man reached out to him, allowing him to be reborn in the darkness.

Who exactly is that man?

At first glance, Ke Zhiguang could only think of the monks of Youxuan Temple.

My second impression... is that of Oshiro Sakae. Harujima Shika dissed this person a lot, even saying that he revised the relevant regulations, which gives off a very villainous vibe.

Ke Zhiguang asked the sales clerk standing behind the counter, "Miss, I'd like to ask about this store... for example, is this store legal and legitimate?"

"Sir, you don't need to worry about that at all. This shop's business license was personally issued by Lord Yu Chengqi two years ago."

That shop assistant is really straightforward; he immediately revealed the information that Ke Zhiguang wanted to know.

"Does this shop have any historical background? The decorations here seem to be genuine," Ke Zhiguang said. Of course, he couldn't tell the difference between real and fake, but the sheer number of spiritual objects here was frightening. Almost every floor tile and even every ashtray seemed to reveal something, with various indices fluctuating wildly.

"You're absolutely right, sir. These are indeed all genuine antiques. Everything here retains its original appearance. It's said that this place was once a very famous chess gambling hall."

Are there any legends about monsters?

"You'll have to ask the store manager himself."

Ke Zhiguang considered his questions and continued, "The store manager has been here for two years. Has he ever failed a challenge?"

"Of course he has. If he had no defeats, how could people keep coming to challenge him? As for defeats... the boss has played more than 300 challenges so far and has only lost more than 30."

"Are you sure these 30 matches aren't rigged?"

"Sir, please don't say that. Those customers who came here and beat the boss have all made a name for themselves in the chess world. They really won by their own strength."

After some questioning, the staff assured me that there were absolutely no problems here, and that it was a place where you could speak for yourself based on your abilities.

For a time, it was practically impossible to find any dirt on Swamp Bro, at least not legally.

Although he didn't come here to play detective games, his curiosity and thirst for novelty drove him to explore the place.

He wanted to know just how many unconventional abilities Swamp Bro had mastered.

And what exactly is fortune?

What exactly does he want to do by collecting fortune telling results? He can't possibly be digging monsters out of their graves, can he? If he were, the entire series would be a complete disaster.

In short, there are many mysteries. The best way is to just defeat Swamp Bro and then grab him by the neck and ask him.

At that moment, Ke Zhiguang's gaze inadvertently fell upon the corner of the chess hall, where the first challenger stood forlorn and lonely.

Behind him, the symbolic spirit had vanished.

......

......

The second game begins in the game room.

"If I lose this round, will I really lose my luck?" the second challenger asked, his face pale.

"As for the rules, I already told you about them a long time ago, so I won't go into detail again." Kiyonuma Yuzawa said with a smile. "Come on, make your move, guest. You're playing black this time."

Less than an hour later, the game ended again, and the challenger failed once more.