In the Go room, the spectators harbored mixed emotions, their gazes frequently drifting toward Yu Shao. As time passed and the match approached, they finally managed to compose themselves.

When the clock struck ten, the referee on the left stood up after glancing at his wristwatch. Taking a deep breath, he announced solemnly, "Time begins now!"

"As this is the second game of the National Hand Championship match, there's no need for nigiri. The playing order reverses - National Champion Jiang Changdong will take black while Third Dan Yu Shao plays white."

"Match rules: Black gives 7.5 komi. Each player has three hours with one-minute byo-yomi periods."

"Now begins the second game of the National Hand Championship challenge match!"

As the referee's voice faded, Jiang Changdong and Yu Shao bowed to each other across the board.

Yet even facing the opponent who had recently defeated him, Yu Shao's expression remained utterly placid, showing not the slightest ripple of emotion. Jiang Changdong noticed this composure, his own expression darkening slightly.

The game had begun!

Jiang Changdong studied the board for several seconds before reaching into his bowl. With a crisp click, his first stone landed.

Dak!

The clear sound of stone on wood echoed through the silent Go room. That single stone seemed to carry an edge of impending battle.

"Seventeen-four, komoku!"

Yu Shao gazed calmly at the white stone occupying the upper right corner's 3-4 point.

During these seven days, apart from travel time to Sichuan, he had secluded himself in his hotel reviewing every game he'd played in this life... and those from his previous existence.

He began examining each past move from a new perspective - or rather, having present Yu Shao confront past Yu Shao across the board. Now those familiar positions materialized before him again, every move etched clearly in memory.

Tick-tock. The clock counted down.

One minute.

Two minutes.

Three minutes...

Bewildered expressions surfaced among the spectators. No one expected Yu Shao to enter deep thought so early - on just the second move!

"If you cling too tightly to the past, you'll lose sight of the future..."

After nearly five minutes, Yu Shao's right hand finally dipped into his stone bowl.

Klak!

The stones clattered as his fingers disturbed them. His gaze remained deep and tranquil as he selected a stone, the noise ceasing abruptly.

"Then... let it be so."

Dak!

The stone struck the board with decisive clarity.

"Four-four, star point!"

"A star opening?"

Seeing Yu Shao finally play, Jiang Changdong's eyes narrowed. He immediately countered.

Dak.

"Sixteen-seventeen, komoku!"

Yu Shao showed no hesitation this time, responding almost instantaneously.

"Four-seventeen, komoku!"

With four stones played, the board showed an asymmetric pattern - Jiang Changdong's star-komoku facing Yu Shao's two komoku points. When Jiang Changdong's turn came again, he played without pause.

"Fourteen-four, large knight's corner enclosure!"

Yu Shao seemed to require no thought, following immediately with:

"Seventeen-seventeen, small knight's approach to the corner!"

Jiang Changdong answered:

"Three-fifteen, small knight's approach!"

Yu Shao pressed forward:

"Fifteen-sixteen, knight's press!"

......

The stones fell like raindrops, both players moving with startling rapidity that left spectators struggling to keep up.

"They're playing so fast!"

The female recorder stared in astonishment, her mouse darting across the digital board as she struggled to log each move without pause.

"Such speed?"

Jiang Changdong's expression shifted as Yu Shao continued playing instant responses, as if this weren't a three-hour per side championship match but a thirty-minute blitz game.

Rapid play often concealed deeper strategy - overwhelming an opponent with relentless pace could crush their confidence through sheer psychological pressure!

"Pressing aggressively from the outset!"

Danger glinted in Jiang Changdong's eyes. Seeing Yu Shao play again, he immediately countered, refusing to be intimidated.

"But it matters not."

"I've already identified his weakness. Having beaten him once, I can do so again!"

"I need only remain calm, play each move properly, and let him come to me. In complex fighting, his problematic style will inevitably reveal flaws!"

Yu Shao played again.

Jiang Changdong scanned the board and responded instantly.

"Don't rush to counterattack. Secure an unassailable position and lure him in."

Yu Shao played once more.

Jiang Changdong answered immediately.

"All I must do is wait..."

Dak!

Dak!

Dak!

Stones struck the board in rapid succession, their percussive rhythm building into a fierce symphony that filled the Go room.

"Yes!"

Jiang Changdong reached for another stone, placing it swiftly. As his white stone settled, Yu Shao - true to form - instantly countered.

"Patience is all that's required—"

Jiang Changdong reflexively reached for his bowl upon seeing Yu Shao's move... then froze.

His fingers hovered above the stones as he fully processed Yu Shao's last play. His pupils contracted sharply.

"Launching a direct attack... already?!"

On the board:

"Five-twelve, central pressure!"

.......

.....

Jiangli, Southern Go Academy.

"Yu Shao, he—"

In the broadcast room, Zheng Qin stared disbelievingly at the screen. One moment seated calmly, the next he'd bolted upright from his chair at this move!

His mouth opened but no words emerged, as if something choked his throat. Only after a long pause did he recover speech, his face still etched with shock.

"Attacking directly?!"

"So early!"

Not just Zheng Qin - in the Go room, Wu Zhixuan, Xu Zi and other professionals all gaped at their screens in disbelief.

"Can this be real? This is too extreme!"

Wu Zhixuan's pretty face showed astonishment as she watched unblinking, a hand covering her mouth. "Yu Shao's style was already aggressive, but now he's attacking right from the opening? This entry is far too early!"

"What... is he planning?"

Even Xu Zijin lost his usual composure, murmuring blankly at the screen.

The broadcast room fell into eerie silence.

All eyes remained fixed on the game, minds reeling from what they witnessed.

Most had attributed Yu Shao's first-game loss to that over-ambitious squeeze move - had he played solidly instead of taking risks, Jiang Changdong would've struggled.

Yet now, facing Jiang Changdong in the second game, not only had Yu Shao failed to learn his lesson... he'd doubled down?!

.....

....

In the Go room.

Jiang Changdong stared fixedly at the board, disbelief plain on his features.

He'd been waiting for Yu Shao's inevitable attack, mentally preparing to endure prolonged tension. Never had he imagined it would come this soon!

So prematurely it bordered on unreasonable!

An unreasonable move - one so brazenly illogical it invites immediate, punishing counterattack from the opponent.

This was practically a provocation!

Nearby, the female recorder and two referees gaped, utterly stunned.

Jiang Changdong's expression darkened. Suppressing his emotions with a deep breath, he finally placed his answer.

Seeing this, Yu Shao immediately reached for another stone.

Dak!

"Eight-eleven, wedge!"

"If he wants force, I'll return it in kind!"

Jiang Changdong gritted his teeth, scanning the board as he calculated variations.

"White's invasion lacks support. If I cut off retreat, these stones become isolated!"

"Cut directly here. White must retreat. I block, dividing his group. While he rescues it, I'll secure territory. By the time he stabilizes, my framework will be complete!"

"And even if he lives, that group can't counterattack!"

Cold determination flashed in Jiang Changdong's eyes as he placed his stone.

Yu Shao regarded the board impassively, then instantly countered.

Seeing Yu Shao's continued rapid play, Jiang Changdong's composure wavered slightly. Clenching his left fist, he played again.

Dak!

Dak!

Dak!

Black and white stones spread across the board at astonishing speed, intertwining in increasingly complex patterns.

"Good. White's group is isolated now. If I press the attack, he might fight desperately. But if I pivot to secure territory instead, he'll be caught in dilemma!"

As the position developed favorably, Jiang Changdong relaxed slightly - though his focus never wavered.

Klak!

The sound of stone selection resumed.

Yu Shao played as swiftly as before.

Dak!

"Seven-five, cut!"

This move made Jiang Changdong pause, then startle visibly, sweat beading on his forehead.

"Not running away... but cutting instead?!"

This defied all Jiang Changdong's expectations.

"Playing here?! Breaking out through my center!"

"I should've secured key points before isolating his group. Never anticipated this leak!"

Jiang Changdong's expression turned grim. Though still ahead in raw points, he felt control slipping away.

After long consideration, he finally found a response and reached for his bowl.

"At this point, securing territory is impossible. Must follow through - press the attack on this isolated group. Even if it lives, I can use the sequence to gain elsewhere!"

The stone descended.

.....

......

Outside Eastern Go Academy, a small club called East Sea Go Hall displayed a game record on its wall.

Any Go enthusiast familiar with recent tournaments would recognize it - Yu Shao's second game against Zhu Xinyuan, which had caused an online sensation when played.

Now, club members crowded around a television, eyes glued to the broadcast.

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!"

Someone burst out excitedly: "That's the Yu Shao we know! Who said he'd be demoralized? Look at this cut - not only saving his group but threatening black's dragon!"

"Indeed!"

Another nodded in awe. "Though National Champion Jiang is formidable too - using the threat to his dragon to lure white deeper while attacking the isolated stones!"

"What does it matter? Yu Shao responded decisively with that hane-connect, seizing black's vitals. White's position looks excellent now!"

A man in a windbreaker shook his head excitedly, turning to a middle-aged man in traditional Chinese tunic suit among the crowd. "Secretary Han, as our strongest player here, don't you agree?"

The dignified-looking man - clearly no ordinary person - showed no airs, blending seamlessly with the spectators. Even he appeared stirred as he studied the game.

After consideration, he nodded. "Indeed, white holds slight advantage now. This sequence flows perfectly without a single slow move!"

"But overconfidence would be unwise."

Secretary Han paused before continuing gravely: "Black faces difficulties but remains far from defeated. Even I can see several counterattacking possibilities!"

"Eh? Secretary Han, aren't you Jiang Changdong's fan? Why sound like you're rooting for Yu Shao?" someone teased.

"Hahaha! People change. And this boy Yu Shao's play is truly marvelous!"

Secretary Han smiled. "Though he lost the first game, that defeat only made me admire him more - it showed his unyielding spirit even in hopeless positions."

He exhaled deeply, watching the screen with emotion. "Who knows how this game will unfold? It's truly..."

"Something to anticipate!"