Chapter 51: The Celestial Battle of Strategy, Part 1

Fang Guohuan spoke at this moment: "Emperor Yao created Weiqi, a tradition passed down since ancient times. I wonder what noble insights Master Yuchi has on this?"

Yuchi Yunlu replied: "It is said that Emperor Yao created the game to teach his son Danzhu how to restrain his temperament. Most chess masters throughout history have accepted this account, honoring Emperor Yao as the ancestor of the game. However, the Way of Chess is vast and profound; its principles are deep, and no single person can exhaust them. The Way of Chess must have been established by the sages of antiquity, who looked up to observe the heavens, looked down to examine the geography, and harmonized human affairs to create it, gaining enlightenment from the natural world. Its three hundred and sixty-one intersections correspond to the numbers of the primordial River Map, aligning with the three hundred and sixty-five and a quarter degrees of the celestial sphere. Black and white stones distinguish Yin and Yang to represent the two primordial forces, while the four corners are established to reflect the four cardinal directions. By encompassing heaven, earth, and the four directions, it demonstrates the principles of all things—the saying that 'worldly affairs are like a game of chess' comes from this. My late father once said that in his youth, while traveling through a rocky mountain, he chanced upon a carving on a stone wall that resembled a chessboard. It faintly revealed the sun, moon, and stars, with their arrangement like a game of chess. He was struck with awe, believing it to be a relic left by the primordial ancestors of humanity. The origin of chess must have been formed in response to celestial phenomena. The saying 'Heaven acts as the board, and the stars as the pieces' is merely using the heavens as a metaphor for the game."

Hearing this, Fang Guohuan nodded and said: "Chess formed in response to the heavens! There is indeed truth in that. Previously, under the guidance of my late master, I reached a state of spiritual emptiness and calm, through which I realized the wonders of celestial phenomena and achieved the 'Heavenly Origin' state of chess."

"The Heavenly Origin state!?" Yuchi Yunlu was shocked. "So, Master Fang, you have already reached the highest realm of chess—the Heavenly Origin state!"

Fang Guohuan asked in surprise: "Are there different levels to the state of chess?"

Yuchi Yunlu replied: "Indeed. I possess an ancient text, the 'Three Origins Chess Classic.' It records that the Way of Chess is divided into three 'Origins,' two 'Greats,' and one 'Small.' The 'Three Origins' refer to spiritual cultivation in chess that reaches the divine and transforms: the Heavenly Origin state, the Human Origin state, and the Earthly Origin state, with the Heavenly Origin being the highest. The two 'Greats' refer to the realm and the techniques of 'Great Chess,' while the one 'Small' refers to minor chess skills, denoting the average skilled player, which is what we call 'upper-tier chess.'"

Fang Guohuan remarked with astonishment: "To think such a marvelous book exists in the world, capable of classifying a chess player's cultivation in such detail!"

Yuchi Yunlu said: "The book records its own name, which shows that the ancients had already reached the Three Origins states, hence these teachings. This book was obtained by my ancestor from a stranger, but none of our predecessors had ever witnessed anyone truly reaching these states, so they assumed it was merely a theoretical hypothesis. Today, witnessing your marvelous moves on the board, which transcended human imagination, I realized you had indeed reached a state of transformation. I was amazed to find that the classic did not speak falsely, and I offer it to you, Master Fang, in hopes that it may provide further inspiration." As he spoke, Yuchi Yunlu took an ancient book from a hidden cabinet and handed it to Fang Guohuan.

Fang Guohuan took the "Three Origins Chess Classic" and opened it. Seeing that the first chapter was a treatise on the Three Origins, he thought to himself: "What my master sought, and what I have achieved, coincides with the ancients. It seems the essence of chess is universal." He began to read.

The annotation for the Heavenly Origin state read: "The Heavenly Origin is the foremost of the Three Origins, the supreme state of chess. It is originally the fruit of cultivation by immortals, aligning with the heavens and earth to harmonize all things. Those with exceptional intelligence and a natural aptitude for chess may produce one such person every five hundred years." The explanation that followed mirrored much of what Fang Guohuan had realized, leaving him deeply awestruck.

The annotation for the Human Origin state read: "The Human Origin state uses intention as the pieces and spirit as the application. Man is the spirit of all things; he can perceive all things and harmonize them within the Way of Chess. It is the height of sincerity, where there is nothing one cannot achieve on the board." The subsequent explanations focused on the unity of heart, chess, and intention.

When he reached the Earthly Origin state, Fang Guohuan could not help but be shocked. The annotation read: "The Earthly Origin state is the Demonic Realm of chess. When things reach their extreme, they reverse; it is the path of alienation and demons. In chess, it goes against the Way. It cannot be practiced by men, nor can it be trained by women. One monster appears every thousand years, and their chess can cause injury to others."

Fang Guohuan exclaimed in alarm: "Is the ghost-chess murder technique of the eunuch Li Ruchuan this Earthly Origin state of chess?" Yuchi Yunlu replied: "Since the series of chess-related murders in the world, I have suspected that someone might have mastered the Earthly Origin state to cause such havoc. However, the book says it cannot be practiced by men or women, as if it is not something a human can achieve."

Fang Guohuan said: "That grandmaster eunuch Li Ruchuan was a eunuch. To master this demonic art, he mutilated himself, using his distorted state of mind to match the transformations of the ghost chess, eventually creating this murderous game."

Yuchi Yunlu realized with a start: "I see. The book’s mention of 'one monster every thousand years' must refer to such abnormal individuals as eunuchs. It seems that killing with chess has existed since ancient times."

Fang Guohuan worriedly said: "The 'Three Origins Chess Classic' only says that this chess can injure people, but Li Ruchuan has reached an unbelievable level of murder. It seems his Earthly Origin state has alienated him into a demon, making him difficult to subdue."

Yuchi Yunlu said: "Evil cannot overcome righteousness. Li Ruchuan’s ghost chess uses the power of the Earthly Origin state, acting against the natural Way, which is why ordinary chess masters find it difficult to cope with him. Only your Heavenly Origin state and the Human Origin state can restrain the ghost chess of the Earthly Origin. The Way of Heaven is vigorous and transformative; wherever demons arise, gods will descend. It will not tolerate such evil to run rampant in the world."

Fang Guohuan said happily: "If that is the case, then besides myself, there must be one other person in the world capable of handling Li Ruchuan’s murderous ghost chess—the person who threw the paper to demonstrate the move at the chess tournament."

Yuchi Yunlu asked in surprise: "Are you saying that this reclusive expert has already reached the Human Origin state?"

Fang Guohuan nodded: "Indeed. His cultivation has also reached the state of transformation; since Heaven exists, he must reside in the Human Origin."

Yuchi Yunlu exclaimed with joy: "It is rare throughout history for anyone to reach the Three Origins, yet all three have appeared in this dynasty! It shows the flourishing of the spirit of chess." He then sighed: "It seems the struggle between good and evil in chess is already underway. Immortals fight demons, and gods duel ghosts. The terrifying and perilous nature of this is known only to the players themselves. It is truly an unimaginable battle of life and death on the chessboard!"

Fang Guohuan nodded: "Chess is divided into good and evil; perhaps this is the will of Heaven!"

Fang Guohuan browsed through the "Three Origins Chess Classic" and was deeply moved by the author’s profound knowledge and deep cultivation of the Way of Chess.

Yuchi Yunlu then asked Fang Guohuan how he had deployed the Heavenly Origin chess array outside Dushikou Pass to repel the twenty thousand Jurchen cavalry. Fang Guohuan described the situation briefly. Yuchi Yunlu exclaimed: "To be able to apply the Way of Chess to military affairs and create a miracle of winning with a small force—the power of chess to benefit the world is beyond measure! I have a copy of the 'Thirteen Chapters of the Chess Classic,' written by a Northern Song man imitating Sun Tzu's 'Thirteen Chapters on War,' which discusses military strategy in terms of chess. The ancient saying that chess is military strategy is indeed true."

Fang Guohuan said: "Master Sun Qi of Heba has a work titled 'Sun's Military Chess Analysis,' a marvelous book on military strategy. The methods of changing battle formations are explained through chess diagrams, which serves as living proof."

Yuchi Yunlu sighed regretfully: "It is a pity that the Chess Collection Tower does not have this marvelous book; otherwise, it would bring great glory to the library."

Fang Guohuan smiled: "It is a book of military strategy, not classified under chess."

Yuchi Yunlu said: "My family's passion is to collect everything related to chess, which is why the Jade Chess Villa has its current stature. When one's interest is involved, one spares no effort, and every gain brings immense joy—a pleasure that outsiders cannot understand."

Fang Guohuan nodded with a smile: "The name of Master Chess-Lover is surely the greatest of all time."

When Fang Guohuan mentioned how Song He had given up chess after a few words from an old man, Yuchi Yunlu sighed: "The 'Book of Mencius' says: 'To be addicted to gambling and drinking, neglecting the support of one's parents—this is the second of the unfilial acts.' Such people are not true chess masters, merely pawns. The world of chess is unknown to many within it, let alone those outside."

Fang Guohuan said: "Chess is an elegant art. If one feels it with the spirit rather than achieving it through technique, one is still a good chess player. Seeking its elegance is enough!"

"'Feeling it with the spirit, not achieving it through technique!'" Yuchi Yunlu laughed. "That is yet another realm of chess!"

Fang Guohuan stayed at the Jade Chess Villa for several more days, studying the "Three Origins Chess Classic" and the "Thirteen Chapters of the Chess Classic" carefully. Every conversation with Yuchi Yunlu was intellectually rewarding.

Because the chess tournament had failed to draw out Li Ruchuan, Bai Guangyao, eager for revenge, had departed earlier to continue searching for the eunuch's trail. Before leaving, he and Fang Guohuan agreed that if any news arose, they would send word to the Jade Chess Villa and coordinate a move against Li Ruchuan.

Two days later, Fang Guohuan also bid farewell to Yuchi Yunlu. Knowing that Fang Guohuan bore a special mission, Yuchi Yunlu did not insist he stay and instead held a farewell banquet.

After the banquet, Fang Guohuan bowed and departed.

Having left the Jade Chess Villa, Fang Guohuan recalled that the Heba organization had influence everywhere, and they might already have tracks on Li Ruchuan. He planned to contact them first. As evening fell, he spotted a village ahead and headed toward it.

Reaching the edge of the village, he saw a shepherd boy sitting on the back of a buffalo, looking around. Seeing Fang Guohuan, the boy was delighted. He jumped off the buffalo and ran up to him, saying: "Hey! Are you Master Fang?"

Fang Guohuan was startled: "Little brother, how do you know my name?"

The boy replied: "Someone wants to see you, so they told me to wait here. You look just like what Brother Jian described. I really did run into you!" The boy looked quite proud.

"Someone wants to see me? Brother Jian?" Fang Guohuan was bewildered, not knowing anyone in this strange village. He thought to himself: "Perhaps an old acquaintance? I might as well see what this is about." He followed the boy into the village, asking: "Does this Brother Jian you mentioned know me?"

The boy laughed: "If Brother Jian didn't know you, why would he tell me to wait for you here?"