Chapter Seventy-eight: Chess

Bai Qiu said, "The Five Luminary Stones have resurfaced across the Twelve Provinces. If word gets out, I fear another storm of bloodshed will follow."

"Amitabha," Yuanwu lowered his head and spoke, "Aside from the rumored ability to unlock certain restrictions, these Five Luminary Stones possess another formidable effect."

Bai Qiu asked, "What effect? To me, this stone is just a bit harder than usual, otherwise no different from any ordinary rock."

Yuanwu gazed at the Golden Luminary Stone on the table and replied slowly, "That is because you, Benefactor Bai, do not cultivate metal-based arts."

With that, Yuanwu picked up the Golden Luminary Stone and continued, "To us, this stone indeed seems ordinary. But for those who cultivate metal-based arts, it is a treasure of great significance."

"It is said that these five stones correspond to the five elements, and each color represents a different elemental force. Although the stones themselves do not contain the power of the elements, they can serve as mediums through which cultivators connect to the primal forces of the five elements."

Sun Fanbai frowned and muttered, "A medium?"

Yuanwu nodded, "For example, the Water Luminary Stone is merely a rock in our hands. But for Benefactor Shi, it allows him to sense the essential power of the water element in the world. Simply put, these stones can accelerate one’s cultivation by hastening progress."

Shi Qi nodded, "The Yuan brothers of Star Mountain Manor all cultivate metal arts. It seems Yuan Chengtian’s rapid advancement is closely tied to this Golden Luminary Stone."

Yuanwu agreed, "As for how to connect with the Five Luminary Stones, and how to draw upon the elemental forces to improve one’s cultivation, I do not know."

He then handed the Golden Luminary Stone to Shi Qi.

Sun Fanbai pondered, "I imagine it must relate to the practitioner’s mastery of elemental arts."

Shi Qi took the Golden Luminary Stone, tossed it into his spatial pouch, and said, "I think I’ve figured something out."

The three others looked at him, their eyes questioning.

Shi Qi continued, "I suspect Yuan Chenglu is up to something!"

"When Yuan Chenglu hunted me down before, claiming it was to avenge Yuan Chengtian, I tried to explain, but he ignored me and kept insisting on revenge. At the time, I didn’t think much of it, but now that I reflect, it seems deliberate."

"Moreover, if it were truly for vengeance, Hairi could have easily ambushed and killed me, but he didn’t. Instead, he sealed my cultivation with the Spirit-Sealing Nails. I recall he said Yuan Chenglu wanted me alive."

Sun Fanbai nodded, "So, perhaps Yuan Chenglu wanted to take the Golden Luminary Stone from you and deliberately kept you alive."

Shi Qi frowned, "Very likely. There’s no other reason for my survival, except for the stone."

Bai Qiu mused, "Why don’t we dig up Yuan Chengtian’s grave and see if we can find any clues from his corpse?"

Shi Qi scratched his head, "Digging up a grave... isn’t that somewhat against heavenly principles..."

Bai Qiu waved his hand dismissively, "You nearly died at their hands! Think of your suffering, think of Xiao Mu. Besides, if Yuan Chengtian’s death truly involves Yuan Chenglu, then we’ll be righting a wrong."

Shi Qi looked at Yuanwu and Sun Fanbai, who simply gazed back, saying nothing.

"Alright!" Shi Qi said, "But tomorrow I need to visit Egret Cave. After all, my main purpose in coming to the East Sea was to go there. Too bad so much happened along the way…"

They continued their conversation.

The night passed uneventfully.

At dawn, the four soared into the sky, heading toward Egret Beach.

Bai Qiu glanced at the flying sword beneath Shi Qi’s feet and asked, "Last night, all our attention was on your return—I didn’t even notice, Xiao Qi, when did you acquire a flying sword?"

Shi Qi replied, "The Azure Cloud Umbrella was cleaved in half by Haiyue; I was left without a suitable weapon. I found this sword by chance while surviving on a deserted island in the outer seas."

Sun Fanbai narrowed his eyes, "So the great opportunity Master Yuanwu mentioned last night was this sword. If I’m not mistaken, this is no ordinary blade. Brother Shi, does it have a name?"

Shi Qi looked down at the sword and answered, "A hundred leagues in a moment—this is the Hundred-League Sword."

Bai Qiu was astonished, "A hundred leagues in a blink! What bold claims! Xiao Qi, how about a race to Egret Beach?"

Shi Qi was intrigued. He thought it a good chance to let the Hundred-League Sword show its prowess for the first time in the Twelve Provinces.

Sun Fanbai smiled and nodded, "You two, even after decades, will still be children at heart. Very well, Master Yuanwu, let’s join in and humor them."

Yuanwu pressed his palms together, said nothing, and nodded.

Bai Qiu shouted, "Let’s go!"

The Hundred-League Sword beneath Shi Qi’s feet glowed brilliantly. He shot forward, leading the way, streaking through the white clouds and leaving only a faint trace behind.

"My word, so fast!" Bai Qiu exclaimed, summoning his own life-bound flying sword and speeding after Shi Qi.

Sun Fanbai watched them rush ahead and chuckled, shaking his head. Turning to Yuanwu, he said, "Shall we go, Master?"

Yuanwu nodded, waved his hand, and a brocade robe flew out from his bundle. He stepped onto the robe and soared forward at considerable speed.

"My turn," Sun Fanbai said, reaching behind him to pull out a Bagua Disk from thin air. He tossed the disk forward and stepped onto it.

With a quick gesture, the Bagua Disk shone green and shot ahead.

The four displayed their skills, racing toward Egret Beach.

Bai Qiu summoned his true energy and pushed his flying sword to its limits, desperately chasing Shi Qi. Yet, the gap only widened—he could no longer see Shi Qi, only the lingering traces left by the Hundred-League Sword through the clouds.

Bai Qiu exclaimed, "This brat’s sword is truly swift—the name ‘Hundred-League’ is no exaggeration!"

He chased as best he could, only to be overtaken by Yuanwu.

"Amitabha," a Buddhist chant sounded beside him, and a flash of red light streaked past—Yuanwu’s robe soared ahead!

Bai Qiu was stunned, "Master Yuanwu is this fast, too?!"

Yuanwu vanished from sight.

Just as Bai Qiu was lamenting, a familiar voice called from behind, "Brother Bai, give it your all!"

Turning, Bai Qiu saw Sun Fanbai on his Bagua Disk, speeding up to his side. Sun Fanbai cupped his hands in greeting, then flew ahead and soon disappeared as well.

Bai Qiu had never felt so embarrassed. He patted his head, "I should have known better than to compete with this bunch of monsters. What kind of rivals are they?"

He pushed his true energy further, chasing after the others.

Half an hour later...

Shi Qi stood atop the Hundred-League Sword, glimpsing the waves of Egret Beach in the distance.

He looked back—no sign of his companions. He thought, this sword’s speed truly is extraordinary.

The Hundred-League Sword seemed to sense his praise, humming vibrantly.

Shi Qi smiled and spoke to it, "Don’t worry, this is only the beginning. Soon, your name will resound across the Twelve Provinces once more!"

He landed on the beach and entered a nearby pavilion. From his spatial pouch, he produced a small wooden table, a set of tea implements, and a kettle. Lighting a fire talisman, he began to boil water for tea.

After a stick of incense, a red figure slowly descended—a monk’s robe. Yuanwu landed outside the pavilion, put away his robe, sat opposite Shi Qi, and said softly, "Benefactor Shi’s Hundred-League Sword truly lives up to its name—unmatched."

Shi Qi poured tea for him, "Master, you flatter me."

He then took out a chessboard. "Master, shall we play a game while we wait for the others?"

Shi Qi had expected Yuanwu to politely decline, but the monk immediately grabbed a handful of chess pieces and settled in, ready.

Shi Qi thought to himself: I didn’t expect this Buddhist disciple to be fond of chess.

He took a handful of pieces, and the two began their match.

Shi Qi placed a black stone gently in the upper-left corner—many favor the corner for opening moves. Some claim it’s the royal path in Go, others disagree, but all acknowledge its importance.

Yuanwu responded with a low move in the lower-right corner, aiming for a large knight’s move to defend the corner. Its weakness is a tendency toward isolation, but if Yuanwu can tie it in with the outer board, he’ll have activated it.

Both knew from the outset that, though young, they were seasoned players.

Shi Qi had learned Go under Master Egret on a southern island. There, only Shi Qi and Master Egret lived; aside from cultivation, the master had two hobbies: tea and chess.

Thus Shi Qi was compelled to learn, constantly playing against Master Egret, who promised that if Shi Qi won, she would grant him a wish; if he lost, he’d face punishment.

The punishment was extra training each day.

So Shi Qi strove to master the game, but never managed to beat Master Egret. He spent his days in chess, cultivation, and extra training.

Yuanwu, meanwhile, played chess with his master while traveling, but they did not use a board. They played blindfold chess, reciting moves aloud. Chess is manageable with thirty-two pieces, but Go has three hundred and sixty-one. Yuanwu had to activate his Buddhist mind’s eye and visualize the board, while his master could easily recite moves without effort—proof that his master’s mind’s eye had long been fully awakened.

After another stick of incense, Sun Fanbai descended beside them. He said nothing, poured himself a cup of tea, and quietly watched the match unfold.