Chapter Fifty-Three: The Formless Chess Game – Part One

Jian Liang exclaimed in surprise, “The Divine Needle! Such a grand title! When I previously went to seek Mr. Qiu, I could tell he was no ordinary man—truly a master!”

Zhong Shiyuan sighed with gratitude, “It is indeed my great fortune to receive treatment today from the Divine Needle, Qiu Hailin!” Then, with heartfelt thanks, he added, “Brother Jian Liang, I must also thank you. Without your help, my lifelong reputation as a chess master would have ended abandoned in the wilderness.”

Jian Liang replied modestly, “Mr. Zhong, no need for such courtesy. I have the utmost respect for those with true skill. Today, to have met both you and Mr. Qiu, two great masters, is truly my blessing.” Observing Jian Liang’s innocence and kindness, coupled with an extraordinary spirit tinged with a boldness, Zhong Shiyuan felt glad to have made his acquaintance.

Jian Liang then asked, “Mr. Zhong, are you able to play a game of chess now? According to Mr. Qiu, a match on the board might aid in your recovery. At worst, it will simply be an enjoyable game.”

Zhong Shiyuan gave a bitter smile. “Very well. I have long taken pride in my chess, though ultimately I was defeated by it and nearly lost my life. Now to use it as medicine—I suppose the matters of chess are indeed inscrutable.”

Jian Liang’s eyes brightened. “Whether to heal or to spar, it is a rare honor for me to face the world’s fastest chess player. Many masters would dream of such an opportunity.” He then placed the chessboard and chess books before Zhong Shiyuan. Without hesitation, Jian Liang opened with a book move at the upper right star point. Zhong Shiyuan shook his head with a smile and responded in kind.

As the crisp, melodious sounds of the pieces striking the board rang out, Zhong Shiyuan’s spirits lifted, and he momentarily forgot his ailment, focusing wholly on the game. Jian Liang’s heart swelled at this sight and he silently praised Qiu Hailin’s wisdom. Employing the “transcendent chess” technique, Jian Liang guided Zhong Shiyuan’s moves, smoothing and harmonizing the flow of the game, soothing his opponent’s mind.

After thirty-four moves, Zhong Shiyuan was startled, but this surprise brought him great relief. He sensed that Jian Liang’s chess had reached a sublime fusion—a realm where, despite sparse and seemingly unstructured moves, the overall momentum of both players’ forces intertwined to form a wondrous chess realm, refreshing the spirit and calming the heart. This was the profound resonance of great chess mastery, acting invisibly to heal. Filled with joy, Zhong Shiyuan’s moves grew swift and sure. Jian Liang's responses followed naturally, the continuous crisp sounds on the board weaving an exquisite symphony that rejuvenated Zhong Shiyuan’s dwindling mental energy.

The two played on, the sharp sounds never ceasing. Jian Liang’s guidance along the flow of the game indeed served as a healing balm for Zhong Shiyuan. The ghostly chess technique used by the imperial eunuch master drained an opponent’s mental energy without harming the brain, so Zhong Shiyuan’s calculations remained sharp and quick, his responses rapid.

This impressed Jian Liang greatly, who silently admired Zhong Shiyuan’s reputation as the fastest chess player—truly well-earned. Fortunately, Jian Liang’s own mastery was at a transcendent level, allowing him to respond calmly and confidently. Zhong Shiyuan’s mood grew ever more buoyant as he played the most exhilarating game of his life, marveling inwardly, “Jian Liang’s skill has reached such a profound fusion. He has truly attained the legendary transcendent chess realm. Who would have thought such a remarkable talent exists in the world! A true blessing for the chess community!”

Jian Liang’s transcendent chess rekindled Zhong Shiyuan’s nearly exhausted mental energy. Though Zhong Shiyuan lost the game, his spirit had largely recovered. Seeing Zhong Shiyuan’s radiant face and near-normal state, Jian Liang was astonished and exclaimed, “Chess truly has the power to heal!”

Zhong Shiyuan beamed, “Just a single needle, now a game of chess—both have restored me greatly. Mr. Qiu’s method of healing chess ailments with chess is truly brilliant!” Jian Liang, delighted, shook his head in wonder. “It seems all things in the universe are interconnected. Incredible! Truly incredible!”

Having witnessed the remarkable recovery from just one game, Jian Liang was overjoyed and called for some food, which they shared with Zhong Shiyuan. Afterward, the three sat close together and talked at length. Filled with gratitude, Zhong Shiyuan said with deep respect, “I never imagined Brother Jian’s mastery had reached such a transcendent fusion. It is a rare gift through the ages! Today, I have been privileged to experience the true Way of Chess, the true realm of chess. I shall have no regrets in life.”

Jian Liang returned the admiration, “Your rapid chess is indeed worthy of being called the fastest in the world. Few today can keep pace with you.” Zhong Shiyuan sighed, “I am ashamed. I have lived on a hollow reputation, unable to withstand a single game from that imperial eunuch master.”

Jian Liang reassured him, “Do not blame yourself. The eunuch’s chess has also reached a transcendent realm, beyond the reach of ordinary masters.” Zhong Shiyuan, surprised, asked, “If his chess is so advanced, how does it carry such deadly power?”

Jian Liang explained, “The eunuch’s transcendent chess is a kind of demonic technique that runs counter to the true Way of Chess—a ghostly, evil art born of a corrupted realm. Where true and evil collide, disaster inevitably follows.” Zhong Shiyuan was stunned.

Jian Liang continued, “There is another who has reached the highest pinnacle—the Celestial Origin Transcendence in chess.” Zhong Shiyuan’s eyes widened. “Who is this man, able to achieve such a divine state?”

Jian Liang said, “He is a friend I recently met—Brother Fang Guohuan.” Zhong Shiyuan exclaimed, “Ah yes, Fang Guohuan! The one whose transcendent chess is said to possess supernatural power, who once used the Celestial Origin Chess Formation outside Dushi Pass to repel two hundred thousand iron-clad Jurchen cavalry!”

“Celestial Origin Chess Formation?” Jian Liang was inwardly amazed. “Brother Fang truly has attained the level of using chess to save the world. As a hidden chess player, I had scarcely heard of his exploits. Now my respect for him grows tenfold.”

Zhong Shiyuan sighed, “Our dynasty’s chess culture flourishes like never before, even surpassing past eras. To witness transcendent chess arise is a blessing to the chess world! Though the imperial eunuch master wields his ghostly chess to sow chaos and harm, Heaven has eyes. It has sent Brother Jian and Brother Fang Guohuan, masters of transcendent chess, who will surely dispel the lethal power of the eunuch’s ghostly moves.”

Jian Liang said, “My purpose in coming here was to challenge that eunuch master to a match. Though uncertain of the outcome, I must confront him to learn the true nature of his deadly ghost chess. Unfortunately, the eunuch’s whereabouts are elusive and unknown. I only hope, like Mr. Zhong, to encounter him by chance.”

Zhong Shiyuan nodded, shaking his head with a wry smile. “The heavens do play tricks. Those who seek are met with failure. Perhaps fate has not yet run its course for the eunuch master.” By now, Zhong Shiyuan’s discomfort was greatly reduced. The dizzy spells had ceased, and he marveled silently at Jian Liang’s “chemical therapy” through chess.

The next morning, Qiu Hailin arrived early. Zhong Shiyuan and Jian Liang rose to greet him and exchanged formal salutations. Qiu suddenly noticed Zhong Shiyuan’s greatly improved vigor and exclaimed, “Since I left yesterday, have you taken some miraculous elixir, Mr. Zhong?”

Zhong Shiyuan smiled, “Not at all, Mr. Qiu. I only followed your method and played a game of chess with Brother Jian. I never imagined it would have such a miraculous healing effect.”

Qiu Hailin was amazed. “Really?” Jian Liang chuckled, “Mr. Qiu’s needle skills are truly miraculous. How could anyone doubt the power of the Divine Needle?”

Qiu Hailin shook his head. “I know well the effects and limits of my acupuncture. Mr. Zhong’s condition is rare and unusual—beyond what a single treatment could achieve yesterday. Since you two played a game, could it be…” He looked at Jian Liang in astonishment, “Could it be that Brother Jian’s chess skill has reached the transcendent fusion realm? Otherwise, Mr. Zhong could not have recovered so much in a single day.”

Zhong Shiyuan sighed, “Brother Jian is indeed a master of transcendent chess. One game restored most of my exhausted mental energy.” Qiu Hailin’s face lit with joy. “I saw your greatly improved complexion today, Mr. Zhong. With Brother Jian’s transcendent chess aiding my acupuncture, remarkable results have been achieved. Together, through needle and chess, you should fully recover within ten days.” Both Zhong Shiyuan and Jian Liang rejoiced at this news.

Qiu Hailin then proceeded with acupuncture treatment as before. Jian Liang, curious, asked, “Since Mr. Zhong’s mental energy was drained by the ghostly chess, why do you needle his wrist? What is the principle behind this?”

Qiu Hailin explained, “This is the Shenmen point, the gateway of the Heart Meridian of Hand Shaoyin. Acupuncture here nourishes the heart’s energy. When the energy flows sufficiently to the heart, its strength naturally increases.”

Zhong Shiyuan expressed deep respect. “Mr. Qiu’s acupuncture is truly exquisite. The moment the needle pierces the skin, I feel my heart respond and my spirit clear.” Qiu Hailin said, “This is because the pulse and energy travel along the meridians.” Jian Liang marveled, “I never imagined acupuncture could be so miraculous!”

Zhong Shiyuan smiled. “Of course, it depends on whose hands it is in to produce such wonders.” He then praised Qiu, “Though the title ‘Divine Needle’ has only risen in recent years, your reputation rivals the ‘Southern Medical Sage’ and ‘Northern Medicine King.’”

Qiu Hailin laughed modestly. “I am but a humble practitioner compared to those genuine medical sages and kings.”

Zhong Shiyuan asked, “Mr. Qiu, how did you come to master this needle art so superbly? It seems almost divine.”

Qiu Hailin replied, “Since childhood, I loved the healing arts and devoted myself to curing illness and relieving suffering. Yet the medical path is vast and profound; even a lifetime’s effort cannot fully grasp it. I found acupuncture, though small, to be swift and effective, often working immediately. So I specialized in it, studying the classics—the Spiritual Pivot, the Needle Canon, the Bronze Figures—and by chance discovered a book called the Divine Response Canon. Thus, I developed this acupuncture method, where the needle follows the intent, guided by divine response. Each treatment brings remarkable results. The human body’s meridians are like rivers flowing through the land, connecting inside and out. Inserting a needle at one point can invigorate muscles and bones, regulate meridians, and harmonize the internal organs. The upper and lower, inside and outside, yin and yang—all correspond. Understanding the subtle workings of qi and blood, when acupuncture is properly applied, its effects surpass those of herbs and medicines.”

This is the original publication.

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