Three days later.

At Mountain Sea Go Club.

"I concede."

Zheng Qin stared at the Go board with an unpleasant expression, but ultimately lowered his head toward Xu Zijin across from him and resigned.

Xu Zijin visibly relaxed upon hearing this, a faint smile appearing on her face as she said, "Thank you for the game."

"I was far too careless here. I thought this area was impregnable, but after your diagonal move, your stones suddenly became lighter. Otherwise, I definitely would have won."

Zheng Qin looked thoroughly annoyed, clearly dissatisfied with losing to Xu Zijin. He turned to Yu Shao beside him and asked, "Right? If I had played the cut here, White would have been powerless."

"If you had cut, White would indeed have struggled to win."

Yu Shao sipped his milk tea through a straw while studying the board before nodding in agreement with Zheng Qin's assessment.

Throughout this game, Zheng Qin had maintained the advantage. But during the middle game, he failed to execute the crucial cut, allowing White to exploit this weakness, leading to his complete collapse. Had Zheng Qin actually played that cut, the outcome would have been entirely different.

"See!"

Having received Yu Shao's confirmation, Zheng Qin became even more frustrated, slapping his own forehead hard. "This useless brain of mine."

Witnessing this scene, Yu Shao couldn't help but chuckle silently.

Zheng Qin and Xu Zijin had played numerous games at the club recently, but today marked the first time Xu Zijin had defeated Zheng Qin, finally breaking her losing streak. No wonder Zheng Qin found it so hard to accept.

Yu Shao couldn't resist glancing at Xu Zijin, who sat quietly across from Zheng Qin, still gazing intently at the board. Since the game ended, she hadn't spoken a word, seemingly replaying every move in her mind with focused concentration.

"This game... appears to be a case where Zheng Qin made a mistake that Xu Zijin luckily capitalized on."

Yu Shao silently shifted his gaze back to the board, studying the game position.

"But if Xu Zijin hadn't played that hane, would Zheng Qin have even realized his oversight?"

Yu Shao privately doubted it.

"Xu Zijin's victory in this game wasn't just due to Zheng Qin's mistake, but also her keen observation and exceptional reading ability."

"Zheng Qin fails to recognize this, thinking his loss was merely the result of momentary carelessness..."

"What Xu Zijin lacks is simply time."

In truth, Xu Zijin's talent surprised even him. Back during their high school Go league days, Xu Zijin had barely reached the level of a professional 1-dan. Yet now, she had improved to the point where even players who qualified for title match main events had to take her seriously. This rate of progress could be considered outstanding even among male players.

Of course, if this were all, he wouldn't find it particularly remarkable. He'd encountered too many geniuses in this life and his previous one. All those worthy of being his opponents were exceptional even among geniuses. Compared to them, Xu Zijin would seem quite ordinary.

But Xu Zijin possessed an unusually strong competitive spirit and self-respect, along with an unyielding stubbornness and persistence in achieving her goals—qualities that made even him take notice.

Knock knock!

Just then, a sudden knock came at the door.

"Come in."

Zheng Qin immediately responded.

With a creak, the private room's door opened, and a receptionist entered carrying a tray with three prepared cups of milk tea.

"Sister Su, I didn't order milk tea?"

Zheng Qin looked puzzled as the receptionist placed the drinks on the Go table.

"These are for Master Yu Shao and 3-dan Xu Zijin. And I suppose I can spare one for someone else too." The receptionist shot Zheng Qin a look as she spoke.

"Huh?"

Zheng Qin's eyes widened in exaggerated indignation. "Sister Su, what do you mean 'someone else'? Don't I deserve to be named? Don't I deserve an invitation?"

"Oh?"

The receptionist teased, "One is a National Champion about to represent the country in world tournaments, another is the most promising rising female star in Go, and the third is...hmm, who could that be? So hard to remember."

"Out with the old, in with the new!"

Grumbling, Zheng Qin grabbed a milk tea from the table, stabbed in the straw, and took an exaggeratedly loud sip, as if expressing his displeasure through the drink.

The receptionist burst out laughing before handing another milk tea to Xu Zijin.

"Thank you."

Xu Zijin accepted the drink without refusal, her clear voice expressing gratitude.

"No problem."

The receptionist smiled. "Ever since you all started coming here regularly to play, our business has improved tremendously."

"Even when you're in private rooms where people can't usually see you, customers still flock in."

She glanced at Yu Shao before covering her mouth to laugh. "I originally thought most people came because of Master Yu Shao, but later realized they're actually here for 3-dan Xu Zijin."

Hearing this, Yu Shao was momentarily stunned.

The receptionist's comment made him recall how, these past few days whenever he left the club, he'd noticed increasing numbers of young people—especially college-aged—flocking to Mountain Sea Go Club. He'd been marveling at how Go had unexpectedly gained such popularity among youth in this world.

Turns out he'd been flattering himself—these people weren't here for Go, but for Xu Zijin.

"I'd actually prefer if they came for Yu Shao." Xu Zijin smiled gently.

The receptionist chuckled in response before suddenly remembering something important. She turned to Yu Shao and Zheng Qin. "By the way, Little Zheng, Master Yu Shao—have you seen the news? Master An Hongshi has confirmed he'll be participating in this year's Phoenix Cup!"

Zheng Qin had been about to protest why Yu Shao was addressed as "Master" while he—older than Yu Shao—was called "Little Zheng." But upon hearing the receptionist's news, he swallowed his words.

"Master An Hongshi is really joining this year's Phoenix Cup?"

Zheng Qin asked in shock.

"Yes."

The receptionist's expression turned more solemn as she continued with concern, "Though there's no domestic news yet, Korean media has already reported it."

"What's the matter?"

Yu Shao looked puzzled. "As a top player, isn't it normal for Master An Hongshi to compete in world tournaments?"

"No, Master An Hongshi hasn't participated in any world tournaments for two full years."

Xu Zijin shook her head, explaining to Yu Shao, "Actually, his health started declining four years ago."

"Yet that year, Master An Hongshi still pushed through to compete internationally. Despite his condition, he won two world championships that year, astonishing everyone."

Zheng Qin nodded, taking over the explanation. "Right. Doctors said Master An Hongshi lost ten pounds just from that final match. After the tournament, he became seriously ill."

"Ten pounds from one game?"

Even Yu Shao was taken aback by this.

He knew Go wasn't easy—it could even be considered physically demanding. An intense match might burn more calories than two soccer games. But losing ten pounds from a single game seemed almost unbelievable.

"Therefore, these past two years, Master An Hongshi hasn't competed at all, only resting at a rehabilitation center. Naturally, other players claimed the world championship titles during this period."

Zheng Qin said gravely, "If this news is true, it means Master An Hongshi is returning to world tournaments after two years—and this time, he'll be in peak condition!"

Yu Shao nodded thoughtfully.

"Not just that."

The receptionist frowned. "I saw online reports that Kudou Yano 9-dan might also join this Phoenix Cup World Championship. Not sure if it's true, but since it's from official media, it's probably accurate?"

"Who?!"

This news shocked Zheng Qin completely, and even Xu Zijin's face showed disbelief. Learning about Kudou Yano's potential participation seemed to affect them more profoundly than news of An Hongshi's return.

Only Yu Shao looked confused. He tried recalling the name "Kudou Yano" but drew a blank. "What's the big deal? Who is Kudou Yano? Is he that strong? Stronger than Master An Hongshi?"

"Not stronger than Master An Hongshi...but still incredibly strong."

Zheng Qin wore an incredulous expression. "But Master Kudou Yano shouldn't be participating in world tournaments!"

"Just who is Kudou Yano?"

Yu Shao grew even more perplexed and pressed the question.

"A Japanese player, former Meijin title holder."

Xu Zijin explained.

"Former Meijin?"

Yu Shao didn't understand. "How come I've never heard of him? Did he retire?"

"No, Master Kudou Yano never retired. But he hasn't competed in ten years, reportedly staying at the Nihon Ki-in to teach aspiring professionals."

Xu Zijin shook her head, her delicate brows furrowing slightly. "Why would Master Kudou Yano suddenly return?"

Hearing this, Yu Shao remained puzzled. "So he's coming back—why is that so shocking?"

"Master Kudou Yano isn't just any ordinary former title holder—though frankly, even that description alone makes him extraordinary."

Zheng Qin seemed lost in memories as he spoke. "Master Kudou Yano was Master An Hongshi's greatest rival back then. They battled over a hundred games, competing for the title of world's top Go player."

"Some said they were destined to be lifelong rivals."

Hearing this, Yu Shao froze.

Zheng Qin continued solemnly, "Master Kudou Yano's style...actually resembles yours somewhat."

"But compared to you, his play carries more ferocity and less unpredictability. He was once hailed as the master of violent beauty on the board."

"He believed 'one unworthy to hold stones lacks the resolve to die trying.' His style pushed aggressive aesthetics to their limits, and his attacking calculations still awe the Go world today."

Zheng Qin's expression grew increasingly grave. "Speaking of Master Kudou Yano, we must mention 'Four Corners Eight Strikes,' 'Slaughter of the Hundred-Stone Dragon,' and 'Ghost Move on Death's Line.'"

Hearing these three terms—"Four Corners Eight Strikes," "Slaughter of the Hundred-Stone Dragon," and "Ghost Move on Death's Line"—Yu Shao vaguely recalled seeing them mentioned online before.

"'Four Corners Eight Strikes' refers to Master Kudou Yano's twin-star opening where he launched eight attacks across all four corners, slaughtering Master An Hongshi's large dragon group!"

Zheng Qin took a deep breath before continuing, "'Slaughter of the Hundred-Stone Dragon' happened when Master Kudou Yano, playing Black, killed Master Jiang Changdong's massive dragon group of over 100 stones during a world tournament—setting a world championship record for largest dragon slaughter that remains unbroken!"

"'Ghost Move on Death's Line' describes when Master Kudou Yano, facing Japan's then-dominant Iida Honinbo during his prime, played a miraculous killing move with just one second left in byo-yomi, overturning a half-point loss into victory."

Listening to Zheng Qin's account, even without having seen those three games, Yu Shao could almost feel the intensity of those life-and-death struggles, as if witnessing each stone weep blood.

"And then?"

Yu Shao asked, "Why did he stop competing to become a teacher instead? Health issues too?"

"No."

Zheng Qin shook his head. "Not at all."

"Master Kudou Yano finished as world championship runner-up twelve times without ever claiming the title. And coincidentally, whenever he reached the finals, his opponent was invariably Master An Hongshi."

"Each time, he lost to Master An Hongshi by just one game."

Zheng Qin sighed. "In their twelfth world championship final, Master Kudou Yano and Master An Hongshi fought an epochal battle still regarded as the pinnacle of attacking play in Go history."

"Yet ultimately, Master Kudou Yano lost again—by half a point."

Zheng Qin spoke with profound emotion. "After that game, Master Kudou Yano—this player renowned for his violent attacking style—wept openly at the board."

"Following that world championship, Master Kudou Yano withdrew from professional play, disappearing from tournaments to nurture Japan's next generation of Go talent."

"Though he never won a world championship, everyone calls him...the Uncrowned King."

"Five years ago, someone asked Master An Hongshi what his greatest regret was."

"Master An Hongshi said his biggest regret was no longer having chances to face Master Kudou Yano across the board. Without Master Kudou Yano, he would never have reached his current level."

"The person he felt most apologetic toward was also Master Kudou Yano. Yet even given another chance, he would still give his all."

Zheng Qin looked at Yu Shao. "Online, people say 'Why was Su Yiming born when Yu Shao exists?' But ten years ago, they said..."

"'Why was Kudou Yano born when An Hongshi exists?'"

Zheng Qin smiled wryly before continuing, "You might find it hard to imagine, but back then, everyone—even Master An Hongshi's fans—just wanted to see Kudou Yano defeat Master An Hongshi once."

"Master Kudou Yano earned worldwide admiration through his exquisite skills and indomitable Go spirit."

"Alas, why must heaven be so unkind to Master Kudou Yano?"

PS: I mistakenly wrote the wrong chapter name last time—my fault entirely. Really was sick and feverish. Kowtow in apology! I'll double-check before posting from now on. Sorry!