Chapter 57: A Chess Match Stuns the Yellow Crane Tower (Part 2)

Xie Guyan said with a touch of excitement, "Master Jian is an extraordinary man, and thus capable of this extraordinary undertaking. I shall vacate this space today so that you may carry out this great task." Jian Liang replied, "My thanks to you. However, until the arrival of the grandmaster eunuch, all the prize money won at the chessboard shall be yours, as compensation for the use of your premises."

Xie Guyan hurriedly declined, "No, absolutely not. To prevent other master players from falling victim to the curse of the 'chess-killing,' I, as a man of the board, must do my part. How could I dare to take such an advantage?" Jian Liang insisted, "Master Xie, do not be so modest. With the help of the two Masters Min, we have set a prize of one hundred taels. As the saying goes, where there is profit, people will follow; masters will surely flock here. To draw out the grandmaster eunuch, I cannot feign defeat; I must build momentum. The prize money won during this time should be yours, considered as compensation. My intent is to lure the eunuch, not to keep the winnings."

Grateful, Xie Guyan replied, "Since you are so generous, I shall be content to assist with the menial tasks. As for the prize money you win, I dare not take a single cent." He continued to refuse.

Min Fengshan then interjected, "Master Jian is performing a noble service; we should not delay. Master Xie, you should accept; besides, you make your living by chess, and once Master Jian’s games begin, you will lose many days of your own business."

Xie Guyan finally nodded in agreement, thinking to himself, "Master Jian is an invincible player, a hidden genius who has just revealed himself. If he has the ability to set a trap for the grandmaster eunuch, he surely cannot be defeated. He will win so much silver and attract so many masters that this will surely cause a sensation. How could I dare to take such a benefit? To follow such a man and witness the prowess of masters is already a stroke of fortune. I will accept the arrangement for now and discuss it later." His reverence for Jian Liang grew even deeper. With the matter settled, Jian Liang was pleased, and the three men drank together, agreeing that Jian Liang would formally take over the venue the next day.

After the meal, Jian Liang and Min Fengshan bade farewell to Xie Guyan at the Yellow Crane Tower and returned to Lotus Pavilion. On the way, Min Fengshan sighed, "I had heard rumors of the grandmaster eunuch killing people over chess, but I didn't fully believe them. Today, it seems it is indeed true. I never expected Master Jian to disregard his own safety to act with such chivalry, setting a trap to subdue that eunuch. He must have extraordinary skills on the board. Such a master of both strategy and martial arts is rare in any age! His surprising actions truly command my utmost admiration."

Jian Liang shook his head, "You are too kind. I do not know if this plan at the Yellow Crane Tower will succeed. Even if the eunuch appears, I have no absolute certainty of victory. His ability to kill invisibly is closer to sorcery or dark magic than the refined, upright style of traditional chess." Min Fengshan was secretly alarmed.

Just then, they saw a man running toward them in a panic. Min Fengshan recognized him as a servant from Lotus Pavilion and felt a jolt of dread. "A-Feng, where are you going?" he shouted.

The servant, catching his breath, cried out, "I was on my way to the Yellow Crane Tower to find you and Master Jian! Something terrible has happened at Lotus Pavilion!" Both men were shocked. "What happened?" Min Fengshan demanded.

A-Feng said with a grim face, "A monk in red robes burst in. Our leader, Zhu, fought him, while the eldest and third masters hid in the hall. Then, three more red-robed monks arrived. One struck down the third master, another held off our men, and the third abducted the eldest master before they all retreated. Leader Zhu ordered me to find you while he gave chase." Stamping his foot in frustration, Min Fengshan cried, "It has happened!" and raced toward the pavilion.

Jian Liang was taken aback. He never expected these monks to brazenly kidnap someone in broad daylight. Fearing for Zhu Weiyuan's safety, he followed.

Back at the pavilion, the hall was in disarray. Min Fengzhong sat dejectedly. When they entered, he wept, "Second brother, the eldest brother has been taken by those monks. I fear he won't survive."

Min Fengshan asked in a panic, "Where is Leader Zhu?" A voice from the door replied, "I am here." Zhu Weiyuan walked in, carrying his twin blades. He shook his head, "I arrived too late. They used a ruse to entangle me and snatched Master Min Fengpao away. I couldn't catch them."

Min Fengshan was distraught. "This Kunwu blade is truly a cursed object! My brother's life is in danger!" Jian Liang reasoned that the Red Sect monks, having made a pact with him, would likely not kill Fengpao; they only wanted the blade as leverage. "Do not worry," Jian Liang said. "They only want the blade. Once they have it, they will release him."

Min Fengshan felt a sense of relief, but Min Fengzhong muttered, "I fear he is doomed." When Min Fengshan rebuked him, Fengzhong revealed, "The eldest brother, fearing an accident, gave the blade to me for safekeeping. If they don't find it on him, won't they kill him?" Min Fengshan paced frantically. Zhu Weiyuan sighed, "Master Min was too stubborn. This is a dangerous situation."

Jian Liang suggested, "Let us use the blade to ransom him. It will settle the matter once and for all." Min Fengshan agreed immediately, but Fengzhong hesitated, whispering, "But the eldest brother said he wanted to sell the blade to a merchant in the Western Regions to become wealthy..." He stopped, realizing his mistake. Zhu and Jian exchanged looks.

"Give it to me!" Min Fengshan commanded. Fengzhong handed over the package. Min Fengshan presented it to Zhu Weiyuan, saying, "Please, Leader Zhu, help us bring my brother home." Zhu sighed, "If only your brother had your common sense, we would not be in this mess. Let this be an end to the trouble."

Zhu Weiyuan invited Jian Liang to accompany him to witness the exchange. On the way, Zhu explained that he had only intervened because of a former subordinate, Min Jie, who was Fengpao's brother. Suddenly, Zhu stopped and whispered, "There is someone in the woods ahead." Jian Liang heard nothing, but suddenly Zhu pulled him aside as a red-robed monk leaped over them.

The monk bowed, "Are you here for the captive?" Zhu held his blades firm. "Yes, release Master Min." The monk replied, "Did you bring the Kunwu blade? We will not release him without the holy object." Zhu answered, "We will not hand it over until we see he is unharmed." A voice from the woods called out, "Luo Qi, bring the two guests in." They followed the monk into the forest.