Chapter 111: Mount Leigu! The Zhenlong Chess Game!

Mount Leigu, its winds pure and its scenery beautiful, yet its mountain paths were steep and treacherous!

For ordinary folk, it would be difficult to traverse. But for Fang Han, Cheng Lingsu, and Mu Wanqing, the path was as easy as walking on flat ground.

All three had mastered Lingbo Weibu, that peerless qinggong footwork, one of the very finest techniques of the age!

Among these steep mountain trails, their steps floated lightly as though treading on waves, rising like drifting clouds. A faint mist shrouded the slopes, making them seem like celestial immortals roaming through the mountains.

A quarter of an hour later, from the precipitous path, they entered a secluded valley. After another half an hour of searching, they finally arrived at a grove of pines. From afar, they could faintly see several wooden huts hidden within.

With a few more light steps, they drew closer.

Before the three huts lay a massive slab of green stone. Upon it stretched a grid of intersecting lines, filled with black and white stones.

Cheng Lingsu stepped forward, gazed at it with some surprise, and said: “This is the same chess game we saw within the Langhuan Blessed Land of Mount Wuliang. I remember it was called the Zhenlong Chess Game, was it not?”

Fang Han nodded lightly, his eyes fixed on the board as he replied: “Mm. Looks like we’ve come to the right place.”

Hearing them speak of Mount Wuliang, Mu Wanqing’s heart stirred. Yet upon hearing of the Langhuan Blessed Land, she grew puzzled and pursed her lips to ask: “Fang Lang, Sister Cheng, where is this Langhuan Blessed Land? How come I’ve never heard of it?”

Fang Han chuckled: “The Langhuan Blessed Land lies in the valley beneath Mount Wuliang. At that time, we hadn’t yet met you. How could you know?”

Mu Wanqing let out a soft “oh,” secretly delighted that she had just learned more about Fang Lang’s past. She smiled sweetly in her heart.

Cheng Lingsu gently took Mu Wanqing’s hand and laughed: “In the future, when there’s a chance, we’ll go there together.”

As she spoke, she cast Fang Han a glance, wondering if her elder brother Fang still remembered the promise they had once made.

Once all was over, they would return to the Langhuan Blessed Land for a while—it would be wonderful.

Mu Wanqing eagerly nodded: “Where Fang Lang goes, I will go!”

Hearing their lighthearted words, Fang Han felt a warmth stir within. He softly replied: “Good.”

Then he turned back to study the Zhenlong Chess Game.

Unlike his first life simulation, where everything went awry, this time Fang Han had prepared thoroughly, laying many backup plans. The Zhenlong Chess Game was among them.

He had occasionally read books on the art of Go, gaining a shallow understanding of chess.

During his years at the Langhuan Blessed Land of Mount Wuliang, he had also studied it now and then.

But his energy had always been limited. Once he had secured his first great fortune, he no longer needed to rely upon this chess game. Thus, he had never delved deeply, treating it only as a pastime.

With his current skill, to truly solve the Zhenlong Chess Game was naturally beyond him.

After observing for a while, Fang Han gently shook his head and stopped thinking further. To ponder without the ability was still pointless.

Instead, he called out in a clear voice: “I am Fang Han! I have come to pay respects to the venerable elder Wuyazi!”

His bright, steady tone rang throughout the pine grove.

For a long moment… silence.

Then—

“Could it be the same Young Master Fang Han, who gained fame in Dali by defeating the Great Wheel Ming King, the national preceptor of Tubo?”

An aged voice drifted faintly from within.

Fang Han turned his gaze toward the sound. A frail, gaunt old man slowly emerged, his eyes fixed upon Fang Han with suspicion and guarded wariness.

This man was none other than Su Xinghe!

He was the eldest disciple of Wuyazi, already well known throughout the jianghu.

He bore the sobriquet of Congbian Xiansheng—the Master of Persuasion. The famous Eight Friends of Hangu Pass were all his disciples.

His methods were far from ordinary. Within the martial world, he kept a close watch upon many affairs.

Why so?

Naturally, it was to seek out a worthy successor for his master: one gifted in both intellect and virtue.

Thus, regarding Fang Han—this youth who had gained renown in Dali—he was already well informed.

Indeed, he had even considered sending Fang Han an invitation for the Zhenlong Chess Game.

Yet never had he imagined, before any invitations were even written, that this very Young Master Fang would appear here directly.

Moreover… he had spoken Wuyazi’s very name aloud!

So few in the world knew it—how could this youth?

Who was he, truly?

Why had he come?

Could it be… he had some connection to Ding Chunqiu, that treacherous old demon?

Su Xinghe did not believe Fang Han to be Ding Chunqiu’s disciple. After all, there was the matter of Jiumozhi.

Even Ding Chunqiu might not prevail against that Great Wheel Ming King. But Fang Han had bested him! His martial ability must still be greater than that old monster’s. How could such a man possibly be a mere disciple of Ding Chunqiu?

So Su Xinghe only suspected some indirect connection.

Yet regardless, since Fang Han had come unbidden, and knew of this place—and even of his master’s name—Su Xinghe’s heart grew wary and cautious.

Fang Han, hearing his words, felt a strange amusement. Why does it seem Jiumozhi has become my walking reputation card?

Every time I state my name, others bring him up…

He clasped his hands respectfully: “So it is the venerable Master of Persuasion. Yes, I am Fang Han.”

Su Xinghe’s gaze flicked briefly over Cheng Lingsu and Mu Wanqing at Fang Han’s side, before returning to Fang Han himself. Solemnly, he asked: “I must ask Young Master Fang—how did you come to know my master’s name?”

Then, shaking his head, he added: “But my master passed away many years ago. Even if you sought him, you cannot.”

Fang Han only smiled faintly and said: “I would ask only that Elder Congbian return and inform Senior Wuyazi of my arrival.”

Su Xinghe’s eyes widened slightly. Fang Han’s words were not those of a man mistaken—he clearly believed his master lived still!

His heart grew more unsettled.

Just as he was about to reply, a sonorous, powerful voice echoed faintly from within:

“Since we have guests, let them enter!”

Su Xinghe immediately straightened, bowing with reverence: “Yes, Master!”

Then, turning to Fang Han and his companions, he said respectfully: “My master invites you all inside!”

Mu Wanqing frowned and snorted: “Hmph! Just now you claimed your master was already dead. How is it that he suddenly appears now?”

Normally silent, her words landed like a hammerblow. She could not stand Su Xinghe’s earlier hostility toward Fang Han, nor his contradictions.

Su Xinghe’s face flushed red, shame rising within.

It was not Mu Wanqing’s words themselves that stung him—for he had always answered thus to all who asked.

Were Ding Lao-Guai to learn his master still lived, he would surely come seeking him. Thus, secrecy had been vital.

And yet, though there was a reason, he still felt guilt whenever he said it.

One guilt for lying with words. Another guilt for his own incompetence—failing to cleanse the sect of Ding Chunqiu, forcing his master to live in seclusion under the guise of death.

If only he had been strong enough to slay Ding Chunqiu—why would his master need to hide, unseen by the world?

But such matters could not be explained to outsiders. So he gave no reply to Mu Wanqing.

Fang Han gently shook his head at her: “Wanqing…”

She caught his meaning, obediently muttered an “oh,” and fell silent.

“Please follow me.”

Fang Han strode forward at once. Cheng Lingsu and Mu Wanqing followed closely behind.

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Footnotes

* * * * Lingbo Weibu (凌波微步)– “Graceful Step upon the Waves,” a famed qinggong (lightness skill) technique allowing one to move swiftly and lightly as though gliding over water.

* * * * Langhuan Blessed Land (琅嬛福地)– A secluded paradise hidden beneath Mount Wuliang, home to countless martial manuals and treasures.

* * * * Zhenlong Chess Game (珍珑棋局)– A legendary unsolvable Go puzzle created by Wuyazi to test intellect and fate.

* * * * Jiumozhi (鸠摩智)– The Great Wheel Ming King, a powerful monk and national preceptor of Tubo (Tibet), known for his formidable martial skills.

* * * * Ding Chunqiu (丁春秋)– Once Wuyazi’s disciple, later a traitor who founded the sinister Xingxiu Sect.

* * * * Congbian Xiansheng (聪辩先生)– Literally “Master of Persuasion,” the sobriquet of Su Xinghe, famed for his eloquence and intellect.

* * * * Eight Friends of Hangu Pass (函谷八友)– Disciples of Su Xinghe, each skilled in different scholarly or artistic pursuits.