Chapter 49: The Jade Chess Mountain Villa, Part 2

Upon hearing this, Fang Guohuan exclaimed in surprise, “The reputation of the ‘Chess Master’s Calligraphy’ is truly well-deserved.” Yang Xianxing nodded confidently. “Of course. Master Yuchi not only possesses a wide and profound passion for chess but also wields an unfathomable skill. At the last chess gathering, he played a rapid game against the renowned fastest player in the world, Zhong Shiyuan. It lasted only half an hour, and yet Zhong Shiyuan barely edged out a victory by two and a quarter points—a feat that left all the attending chess masters in awe.”

Fang Guohuan’s astonishment deepened.

After traveling a short distance, a grand estate appeared ahead, majestic and imposing. Trees cloaked the grounds, pavilions peeked through the foliage, and the scale was impressive. Above the main gate hung a plaque inscribed with four prominent characters: “Jade Chess Manor.” On either side of the gate stood a dozen or so estate attendants, greeting guests. Those bearing invitations were personally escorted inside, while others were simply allowed to pass through.

Fang Guohuan, Yang Xianxing, and Director Wang followed the flow of visitors into the manor, arriving before a vast hall. The hall’s facade bore the words “Chess Hall,” with a newly hung banner below declaring “Making Friends Through Chess!” A considerable crowd had already gathered, with people coming and going. Fang Guohuan stepped forward to enter, but Yang Xianxing gently pulled him back. “Only those with invitations may enter the Chess Hall. We will watch from outside.”

Fang Guohuan smiled and nodded, settling to the side.

At that moment, the attendants ushered in a long-bearded elder and a Taoist priest. Yang Xianxing’s eyes widened. “Master He Tianyi has also arrived!”

Fang Guohuan asked, “Who is he?”

“He Tianyi is a renowned chess master from the Two Lakes region, his fame rivaling that of Tian Yangwu, the Chess King of Jiangnan,” Yang Xianxing explained.

Fang Guohuan was amazed. “Such a formidable figure exists in the world!”

Soon after, the attendants led in a man who strode with great confidence, followed by two handsome servants—one carrying an ancient wooden chessboard, the other bearing two canisters of chess books. The man was splendidly dressed, his demeanor proud and unyielding as he entered the Chess Hall without glancing aside.

“Who is this?” Fang Guohuan inquired.

“That is Liu Shuipeng from Jinan Prefecture, Shandong. He is known for using only his own chess equipment and never touching other books. His skill is extraordinary, and he rarely plays casually,” Yang Xianxing replied.

Fang Guohuan thought to himself, “This gathering of masters is truly an opportunity to meet the finest chess players across the world.” He felt a surge of quiet joy.

Nearby, some people whispered among themselves.

“I heard even the servants here play excellent chess. Is that true?”

“Of course! With our level of skill, we wouldn’t even qualify to haul water or split firewood in this manor!”

“Wow, this ‘Chess Master’s Calligraphy’ is indeed formidable! Could it be that the best players from all over have been gathered here?”

“Pretty much. I’ve heard there are thirty-eight chess instructors within the manor, each once a renowned figure in their region. The manor sees countless chess enthusiasts come and go, and when it comes to the breadth of chess exchanges, Master Yuchi is said to be unrivaled in the world!”

Fang Guohuan nodded in silent approval, his desire to meet Yuchi Yunlu growing stronger.

At that moment, several attendants scanned the crowd with wary expressions, as if searching for someone.

Suddenly, a man resembling a steward emerged from the Chess Hall. Bowing to the onlookers, he announced, “Friends of the chess world, our master invites you to the chess field at the back mountain.”

Without another word, he turned and left.

“The chess field?” Fang Guohuan asked in surprise. “What chess field?”

Yang Xianxing explained, “It is one of the highlights of Jade Chess Manor. Master Yuchi’s creation—once you see it, you will understand.”

The group followed the path around the back of the estate.

Climbing a hillside, Fang Guohuan was taken aback. Below stretched a wide, open ground paved with polished stone slabs, gleaming and smooth. Etched upon it was a massive chessboard, forty meters square, with perfectly squared corners marking the star points—a striking and grand sight. Along both sides stood over a hundred attendants dressed in black and white simple robes, lined up like opposing armies in a grand human chess match.

Fang Guohuan nodded in admiration.

Around the hillsides, thousands had gathered—chess enthusiasts drawn by the news and locals eager for spectacle. Many saw the chess field for the first time and marveled. Two colorful tents had been erected on the southern hillside, east and west, each filled with rows of wooden chairs now fully occupied. In the eastern tent, a young scholar holding a paper fan conversed quietly with the long-bearded elder, He Tianyi, who occasionally nodded in agreement. Around the chess field stood dozens of sturdy attendants, guarding against unauthorized entry.

Yang Xianxing pointed to the young scholar with the fan and said, “Fang Gongshu, this man is Yuchi Yunlu, the master of Jade Chess Manor. Later, when you get a chance to approach him, look closely—your visit will have been worthwhile.”

Fang Guohuan gazed at him with admiration. “Yuchi Yunlu is truly a remarkable man! To create such a magnificent chess field shows extraordinary ingenuity.”

Suddenly, the sound of a gong cut through the air, silencing the crowd instantly. A man stepped out from the eastern tent, bowed to the assembly, and raised his voice: “Friends of the chess arts, I am Cao, honored to host this chess gathering on behalf of Master Yuchi Yunlu. Master Yuchi has the vision to do what no other chess player has done—he created this chess field and organizes this gathering, inviting the finest masters worldwide to explore the art of chess, to make friends through the game, and to exchange ideas and techniques. We hope to inspire innovation and advance the discipline of chess.

“As customary, the masters gathered here are divided into east and west tents to participate in this unique grand human chess match. Due to certain reasons, this event has been moved up by six months, and the ten-match competition scheduled for tomorrow and the day after in the Chess Hall has been canceled.”

Upon hearing this, murmurs of surprise rippled through the crowd and the tents.

Yang Xianxing frowned. “Why is that? The ten-match contest in the Chess Hall was the most exciting part, with top players competing for the thousand-tael silver prize Master Yuchi set. The game records were even explained on the large board outside. Why cancel it?”

Fang Guohuan also wondered, “This grand gathering has attracted so many masters, yet the event is only held for one day with great fanfare?”

He noticed the attendants scanning the crowd vigilantly, which deepened his confusion.

Cao raised his hand to quiet the onlookers and continued, “Friends, we ask your understanding for these changes. But today, besides witnessing this grand human chess game played by many masters together, we will also distribute to each guest a volume of exquisite game records from past gatherings, so no one will leave empty-handed.”

The crowd quieted somewhat.

Cao then announced, “Please be seated. The chess event now begins. I invite Master He Tianyi from the eastern tent to take black and make the opening move.”

Yuchi Yunlu smiled and courteously invited He Tianyi to proceed, who nodded in thanks. He gave instructions to an attendant, who waved a black flag several times. Immediately, a black-robed attendant ran onto the field and seated himself cross-legged at the upper right star point.

Cao then turned to the western tent. “Now, I invite the Taoist priest Tianji from the western tent to take white and respond.”

The Taoist signaled to his attendant, who waved a white flag, prompting a white-robed attendant to run onto the field and sit at the lower left star point. The grand match commenced.

He Tianyi and the Taoist priest began with a two-star linked opening formation. At first, the game appeared to be solely between these two, but as the match progressed, the masters in the east and west tents began lively discussions, analyzing and debating the next moves. When a brilliant strategy was found, it was passed to He Tianyi and Tianji, who signaled their attendants to make the moves accordingly.

Attendants moved swiftly and precisely across the field, black and white pieces shifting in a magnificent spectacle that left the crowd breathless with admiration.

Fang Guohuan stood atop the hillside, contemplating the grand strategic battle unfolding below. It reminded him of the earlier fierce battle beyond Dushikou Pass, where he had arranged a celestial chess formation to command a coalition of heroes in repelling over a hundred thousand enemies—a brutal blood-soaked struggle fought with real blades and real strategy. Here, however, was a genuine battle of chess masters.

He knew that the moves conceived by dozens of experts could never be ordinary. When masters study chess, new ideas inevitably arise. This method of collectively playing a single grand game on such a scale was unprecedented throughout history.

As the game deepened, black and white “chess books” covered the field, their positions complex and difficult to discern. Yet the attendants moved in an orderly fashion, precise and disciplined—a clear testament to their training.

The watchers were utterly absorbed, holding their breaths as the game unfolded. Yuchi Yunlu frequently nodded in approval of the developing moves but did not participate directly. Beside him stood the chief scribe, recording the game’s progress to produce a game record for later study.

He Tianyi and Taoist Tianji no longer ventured moves alone, frequently consulting their tent’s masters before signaling the attendants. Each cautious step showed their respect for the gravity of the contest. These masters divided into two factions, each displaying their prowess to prove their skill.

Fang Guohuan observed the unfolding position in awe. The game was flawless, like two supreme masters locked in battle, each move a masterpiece—after all, it was the collective wisdom and essence of many great minds combined.

He studied intently.

The game reached a critical juncture—complex and unresolved. The entire crowd fell silent, awaiting the next development. Within the eastern tent, He Tianyi and his companions pondered deeply, evidently without any brilliant replies left.

[End of serialized chapter.]

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