"So it is Brother Qi, my apologies, my oversight."

Jun Moxie inclined his head slightly.

"Originally, the Way of Chess is merely a subsidiary branch, a minor skill used for cultivating the body and mind, which is naturally harmless, but if it is used for competing and striving for victory, then it has fallen to the lower ranks... Brother Mo's piece moved the heart and soul; you are truly an elegant man. Would you perhaps deign to play a game with me? It matters not for victory or defeat, just give it your full effort."

Qi Wan-jie said with a faint smile.

His name was originally 'Qi Wan-jie' (Qi Ten Thousand Talents), but after he became famous, he changed it himself to Qi Wan-jie (Qi Ten Thousand Tribulations), substituting 'Jie' (Talent) with 'Jie' (Tribulation) to signify the countless permutations and hundredfold tribulations within his games, making him inscrutable; naturally, this also carried a degree of arrogance.

Jun Moxie couldn't help but sneer inwardly. It seemed this fellow was likely the main force meant to deal with him, and this person must be someone who calculates meticulously, yet possesses a hypocritical nature...

Just from that single sentence just now, it had all been completely laid bare.

You keep proclaiming, 'If it is used for competing and striving for victory, it is hardly worthy,' yet you ask me to 'play a game with you,' and even declare it 'matters not for victory or defeat, just give it your full effort!'

Since it is a contest of chess, how can one possibly win without the intention of striving for victory? Especially the Way of Go, which demands meticulous attention to every detail, weighing and measuring every point to calculate one's position on this board, to ascertain one's advantage and disadvantage, and then to adapt accordingly. "To be this hypocritical at such a young age is quite a feat in itself!"

This man is simply a hypocrite, but this young master has met no shortage of hypocrites. Not to mention others, even the spiritual cultivation of Li Youran surpasses yours by far, yet that Li Youran is far more sincere than you by comparison. What nonsense is this!

"That is only natural. What Brother Qi says is absolutely correct, it truly resonates with my heart. The Way of Chess, even when researched to its deepest level, is ultimately just circling within a square inch; a minor skill, truly deserving of the name, truly well-deserved."

Jun Moxie naturally did not think this way in his heart. Chess skills nowadays are not only far from being minor skills, but they can also bring glory to the nation! "But now, he must respond this way. Because looking at this squinty-eyed fellow before him, Jun Moxie felt a surge of anger!

You want to help the Zhan family brothers deal with me? Then just come at me openly and honestly; why must you spout such sanctimonious drivel... You are clearly doing this just to disgust this young master! "If I don't put you in your place properly, how can I live up to this pretense of yours?"

Qi Wan-jie... Damn it, let's just make it 'Qi Wan-jie' (Qi Completely Finished), and end it right here and now...

Dare to play mind games with this lord? Watch as this lord plays you to death!

"However, I am not very well-versed in chess. I only learned for a few months previously, so..." He paused. "Since Brother Qi says it is a minor skill, then I shall accompany Brother Qi for some entertainment. It is, after all, for the cultivation of mind and body, and victory is irrelevant. I believe I should be competent enough."

Young Master Jun spoke with veiled sarcasm.

"Brother Mo is truly witty." "Since Brother Mo also says the Way of Chess is a minor skill, then Brother Mo must not blame me for showing no mercy."

A cold glint flashed in Qi Wan-jie's eyes, but he maintained his composure, speaking lightly.

"Oh? Showing no mercy? Brother Qi is a gentleman; famous people do not do hidden deeds. I merely have one question to ask directly: if I blame you for showing no mercy... will you then show mercy?"

Jun Moxie asked mockingly.

"Facing someone like Brother Mo, I believe no one would show mercy." Qi Wan-jie was starting to lose his patience. This Mo Jun-ye was simply too detestable! I only spoke with humility, and you are already pushing your luck...

"Is that so? What Brother Qi said really displeases me. I had thought that as the esteemed Chess King, your bearing should naturally be superior. Even if you weren't upright and forthright, you shouldn't be going back on your word; but I never expected that what you said just now was like passing gas—others' farts smell foul for a moment, but you actually swallowed yours back... I truly admire your skill, your self-control, truly the best in the world! Truly worthy of the title Chess King, your reputation precedes you! Meeting you surpasses merely hearing of you, and meeting you confirms it! I am far inferior..." Jun Moxie saw he had successfully disrupted Qi Wan-jie's state of mind and naturally had to press the advantage. In the Way of Chess, one's state of mind is paramount. Once one's mentality is unstable, even a peerless master might lose to a child just learning to place stones... This is certainly not an extraordinary occurrence...

"Mo Jun-ye!"

Rage finally showed on Qi Wan-jie's face: "Just watch today, and see who utterly crushes whom until nothing remains!"

"Utterly crush until nothing remains? That sounds rather severe. I only have one thing to say: little brother, don't cry if you lose!"

Jun Moxie said with a tone of solemnity: "Although you are young, crying in front of such an audience would really look quite unsightly..."

Qi Wan-jie's face paled, and he let out a heavy snort. At this moment, his attendant behind him had already set up the Go board and pieces. He ignored Jun Moxie and walked directly towards the board.

He was clearly impatient to torment this Ethereal Constitution possessor within the game! I don't care if you possess the Ethereal Constitution; you offended me, and I won't let you keep a shred of dignity.

Especially since the Second Young Master Zhan promised me a grand mansion, the position of Chess Venerable at the Illusory Mansion Chess Academy, and four beautiful concubines besides... I must obtain all of these!

I must obtain them, I must succeed! And to do so, I must step over you!

Prepare to become my stepping stone, legendary great genius!

Although Jun Moxie's face showed composure and calmness, his heart was actually pounding somewhat. Regarding Go, when he trained back then, he had merely skimmed the surface; although Jun Xie's comprehension was decent, his strength was merely 'not weak,' far from reaching the level of a so-called professional player.

Based on Young Master Jun's true skill level, in the current Go world, he would at best be at the standard of an amateur Seventh or Eighth Dan. This strength could handle most situations without issue, but when contending against a genuine Go master, the chance of victory was absolutely slim. This success was largely attributable to the death-defying torment and coercion from that old fellow in his previous life. The old man's standards for a 'qualified assassin' were ridiculously high; he required familiarity with all relatively common, known skills, and a grasp of obscure knowledge. Only then could one perfectly conceal oneself under any situation or condition and eliminate the target without a sound...

But this requirement seemed fundamentally impossible for a human to achieve...

Because the Xie Jun of the past life had, in fact, never fully completed it, only accomplishing about seventy percent of the training program stipulated by the old man...

The old man harbored a wish—to create the ultimate myth of the assassin world! Even if that myth one day chose to quit assassinations, after laying down the butcher's knife, he should be able to serve as a doctoral supervisor in any field at a university...

It is believed that anyone hearing this would realize this was an utterly insane and monstrously perverse plan!

Music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, tea; the three religions and nine schools of thought, medicine, divination, astrology, agriculture, water conservancy, the eight great gods of study, physics, chemistry... Gods dammit...

Even now, Jun Moxie gets a splitting headache just thinking about it!

However, after arriving in this other world, while his head still ached terribly, Jun Moxie also felt boundless gratitude for that cruel training back then. "If the old man hadn't relentlessly forced me to learn all this, I absolutely wouldn't be mixing as well as I am now, even with the Hong Jun Pagoda, that super cheat device, it wouldn't work. Lacking the fundamental basis, even if you were given a peerless martial arts manual, you would still be flummoxed..."

At least now, he felt some regret: why didn't I study Go properly back then?

If I could just reach the standard of a professional Fifth or Sixth Dan, I wouldn't need to cram now. Today's chess match seems quite difficult...

Facing this long-renowned Young Chess King of the Illusory Mansion, how should I proceed to defeat him?

Even if this fellow's level is twice as high, or even if the starting point in this world is lower, he must at least be at a professional level, right? Based on my true strength, the chance of success seems incredibly slim!

Jun Moxie suddenly recalled a phrase the old man often repeated: "In Go, there are moves within the game, and there are moves outside the game..." His heart stirred.

Looking at Qi Wan-jie already sitting properly before the Go board, Jun Moxie suddenly smiled strangely: "Brother Qi, are you prepared? Chess is an elegant pursuit; actions must be open. You hold the esteemed title of the current Chess King of the Illusory Mansion. If you unfortunately end up defeated by me, a nameless junior, it would be a very ugly matter... It will ruin your reputation, hahaha, your lifelong fame will flow away like water..."

"You need not trouble yourself!"

Qi Wan-jie shot him a dark look: "I trust my reputation, Brother Qi, is not something that can be shaken by just any stray cat or dog."

"Is that so? Brother Qi, you have great confidence... Back when I played against the Chess Sage Hua Wucuo on the Outer Profound Continent, the Chess Sage once said something that I still remember vividly..."

"What? You played against Hua Wucuo? What did he say?"

Qi Wan-jie’s expression immediately grew solemn. A trace of tension finally appeared on his face, which had previously been as still as an ancient well.

Hua Wucuo, a Chess Sage of the Profound Continent, gained fame in his youth and reigned supreme for over two hundred years without a single defeat! If the Nine Nether's First Young Master is the legend of profound arts on the Profound Continent, then this man is the legend of chess skill on the Profound Continent.

As a Go master, no matter how arrogant Qi Wan-jie was, he dared not utter a single disrespectful word about this Saint of Chess. Now, upon hearing that the possessor of this Ethereal Constitution had actually played against Hua Wucuo, his heart sank instantly: Could it be that this Mo Jun-ye truly understands the Way of Chess? If so, what is his chess power? A person qualified to play against Hua Wucuo cannot be underestimated.

At this point, Qi Wan-jie completely discarded his dismissive attitude. His fighting spirit rose unprecedentedly, his gaze sharp, locked onto Young Master Jun.

"Oh? I said I played against Hua Wucuo, and Brother Qi believed it so easily? What if I was deliberately using his name to pressure you?"

Jun Moxie narrowed his eyes.