Chapter 71
Chapter 71
Translator: Penny
Chapter 71
Clack!
A stone landed on the board.
The old man frowned, stroking his beard as he pondered deeply.
After agonizing over his move, he finally placed his stone. As if waiting for this moment, the boy immediately severed the connection to the old man's stone.
"Wow... what a move!"
"Incredible!"
"Old Master Yang can't even put up a fight!"
"Is this a complete defeat?"
"Just like the saying goes: 'The front waves of the Yangtze River are pushed back by the rear waves.' Old Master Yang has little chance of recovery now."
"If this keeps up, the Divine Move Young Master might actually win the Yungjungsan Go King Tournament at the end of the year!"
"Maybe he will."
Amidst the spectators' admiration, the boy glanced at Old Master Yang with a smug expression.
Old Master Yang wore a devastated expression, his painstakingly built formations shattered and his stones seized.
Go.
More than a mere pastime, Go served as a measure of one's intellect and insight, a game where strategic prowess was evaluated.
Thus, it held immense importance within the Zhuge Clan.
Each year, the annual Go King Tournament drew massive participation from the Byeongju Hall Scholars.
Old Master Yang had once surpassed even the Zhuge Clan's Scholars to claim victory in the tournament.
Yet, one day, a young prodigy appeared like a comet, repeatedly defeating him... How could such humiliation be adequately described?
"Just one more game," Old Master Yang pleaded with the boy. "Just one more."
Perhaps unwilling to relinquish his hard-earned reputation, he begged for another chance.
"Are you sure you're up for it?"
"..."
"I don't think there's any point in trying again."
"But..."
"Stop. Old Master Yang, you're no match for me."
At the boy's cold words, Old Master Yang's shoulders slumped.
He clung to the hope of victory, but he knew deep down that even if they played again, he couldn't win.
The boy's Go style was ruthlessly cruel, almost terrifying.
No matter how Old Master Yang tried to defend, the boy would instantly break through, cut off his retreat, and mercilessly tear him apart.
Even before Old Master Yang had risen to his feet, the boy looked around and asked, "Anyone else want to play?"
"..."
There was no response.
If Old Master Yang, the village's strongest player, had been defeated without even putting up a fight, who would dare challenge the boy?
"Not bad at all."
"Right? At this rate, he might actually have a shot at winning the Go King Tournament. But who is he? Skill like that is rare."
"Well..."
Zhuge Munho, who had been wearing a troubled expression, suddenly urged him forward.
"Let's go. We might not get a table at the tavern."
"Huh? Why wouldn't there be a table?"
"You never know."
What a strange guy.
The tavern they were heading to wasn't usually crowded. Yet he was worried about not getting a table?
As he turned away, puzzled, a voice called out:
"Oh? Elder Brother Munho!"
"...?"
A boy spotted Zhuge Munho in the crowd and jumped up to greet him.
"Long time no see."
"Indeed. But who's this beside you?"
"Ah, well..."
Zhuge Munho still wore an awkward expression.
Why?
"Ah! Could it be Zhuge Munhyeon?"
"...Yes."
Zhuge Munho nodded stiffly, and the boy, who had been sizing him up, frowned slightly.
Why?
He was clearly a member of the Zhuge Clan, dressed in their snow-white scholar's robes. His face looked familiar, suggesting they'd met before, but Munhyeon couldn't place him at all.
"He's Uncle Domyeong's second son."
"Uncle Domyeong's... Ah! So this kid is?"
"Yes, Mungi's younger brother."
Zhuge Munho sighed deeply and nodded.
He seemed to be recalling something from the past.
Seven years old, Ten Thousand Scrolls Pavilion.
Shortly after Zhuge Mungi had provoked him and been beaten so badly he shat blood, he had left for the Tang Clan with his aunt.
Hmm... Elder Brother Munho must have been in a difficult position. He probably doesn't have good feelings toward me.
Of course, the incident hadn't been his fault.
But after seeing Zhuge Domyeong defend him even after his wife and son had left the clan, he couldn't shake off a lingering unease.
In situations like this, pretending ignorance was the best course of action.
"...Let's go."
"Okay."
As he subtly turned to leave, Zhuge Junggi grabbed Zhuge Munho's collar.
"Are you just going to leave?"
"We have a prior engagement."
"A prior engagement?"
Zhuge Junggi tilted his head and stared at Zhuge Munhyeon.
He harbored no particular ill will toward him.
His relationship with his elder brother had never been good.
Even when their mother suggested moving to Sichuan, he had refused without hesitation.
If you've done wrong, you should apologize, not run away.
In fact, at the time, he had even wanted to meet Zhuge Munhyeon.
Baekil Gaeon (Hundred-Day Utterance): He spoke his first words within a hundred days of birth. Samnyeon Munjang (Three-Year Literary Awakening): He mastered writing by the age of three.
Even within the Zhuge Clan, renowned for its abundance of geniuses, Munhyeon's talent was unparalleled.
And that wasn't all.
Dongmong Gaemu (Childhood Martial Awakening): He awakened his martial talent at a young age, becoming a once-in-a-millennium prodigy.
In a world where even a single innate talent was rare, Zhuge Munhyeon, blessed with multiple gifts, became the envy of every trainee at the Heavenly Star Pavilion.
Yet, judging by his behavior, Munhyeon seemed to be avoiding him.
All Zhuge Junggi wanted was to become friends.
Because of my elder brother...
Irritated for no good reason, Zhuge Junggi blurted out a sharp remark:
"Are you still holding a grudge about what Elder Brother Mungi said about Aunt? Over something that happened a decade ago?"
"What?"
"Contrary to what I've heard, you seem rather narrow-minded, don't you?"
Narrow-minded...? What the hell does this brat think I am?!
Zhuge Munhyeon's face twisted slightly, and Zhuge Junggi immediately regretted his words.
Damn it, this temper of mine!
He hadn't meant to start a fight, but the words had slipped out before he could stop them.
What should I do? What should I say?
As he fretted inwardly, he suddenly thought of a way to defuse the situation.
That's it! I'll challenge him to a game of Go, even if I have to force the issue! After all, the truly exceptional are naturally drawn to others of their kind.
"If not, how about a game of Go with me?"
"What? Out of the blue?"
"People say you're the most outstanding descendant of the Zhuge Clan. You must be skilled at Go too, right? Teach me a move."
Ah, this isn't how I wanted it to go...
He'd wanted to make friends, but his words had come out jumbled and impulsive.
Like father, like son.
He had grown up watching Zhuge Domyeong, the Leader of the Black Tiger Corps, whose face remained expressionless and whose emotions seemed clumsy.
His words had become a provocation—one that, depending on how it was heard, could sound like a sneering challenge: Do you even think you're worthy to face me?
Naturally, the surrounding crowd began to murmur.
"Young Master Munhyeon plays Go?"
"This is going to be interesting!"
"A match between the Divine Move Young Master and the Young Master of the Ten Absolutes!"
Zhuge Munhyeon scowled, realizing he had missed his chance to escape due to the sudden surge of attention.
Damn brat... Fine, whether it's Go or a fight, I never back down from a challenge!
"So, you want to play a match with me, is that it?"
"More or less."
"Is that so? Is that what you want?"
Zhuge Munhyeon's fist trembled as his eyes widened, and he strode toward the Go board. To his surprise, Zhuge Munho looked flustered.
"You're actually going to play?"
"Yes."
"Over a few words from a kid?"
"A few words? A few words—is that all you think it is?"
In the Martial World, lives hung by a thread over such words.
How could he simply ignore such a challenge?
Whether it was a fight or a game of Go, it was only right to face anyone who dared to challenge him.
My creed is to utterly crush anyone who dares to challenge me, ensuring they never rise again.
Yet Zhuge Munho, looking strangely troubled, gripped his sleeve and whispered in his ear, "Can you even play Go?"
"What?"
"Just stop. Everyone's watching... Losing here would be a complete disgrace."
He must have been saying this for his own good. After all, he'd never seen him play Go before. He probably assumed he was terrible.
But his words only fueled his anger. Was he already declaring his defeat before the match even began?
What does this bastard think of me?! Go? I was once a National Master-level player. Does the Zhuge Clan think they're the only ones who play Go? Even Demonic Cultists play Go. Trapped far beyond the Central Plains with nothing to do but eat, sleep, shit, and cultivate, they played Go obsessively. And I was the one who defeated them all. In other words, I was the Go King of the Demonic Cult from my past life! That's right, in this very body!
Thwack!
Zhuge Munhyeon brushed off Zhuge Munho's hand and sat down across from Zhuge Junggi, the Go board between them.
You little brat! I'll teach you some manners. I'll crush you and collect the blood from your reckless tongue...
Seeing this, Zhuge Junggi secretly rejoiced, finally getting the chance to showcase his talent to Zhuge Munhyeon.
But from what I've heard, he's not very good at Go... Should I show him some mercy? Yes, let's do that. It's basic etiquette to adjust your skill level to match your opponent's when playing Go.
"How many handicap stones should I place for you?"
"What?"
"Your skill seems a bit lacking."
It was a gesture of consideration, delivered with a sincere smile.
But he didn't know Zhuge Munhyeon's true nature.
This brat is grinning at me, telling me to place handicap stones?
The provocation had its intended effect.
He's truly gifted at getting under people's skin.
Zhuge Munhyeon stretched his lips into a wide, mocking grin, his eyes gleaming with a chilling light as he brushed aside Zhuge Junggi's offer.
"Young one, make the first move."
"Me?"
"Yes!"
"Hmm, very well. Let's begin this... enjoyably."
Zhuge Junggi nodded, picked up a black stone, raised it high, and slammed it down with force.
Clack!
The center of the Go board, the Center Point.
That infuriated him even more.
Who the hell do you think you are, claiming the center like that?!
The moment the first stone was placed, Zhuge Munhyeon's war of conflicting dreams began—a battle against Zhuge Junggi, whom he had initially sought to befriend, where no quarter would be given.
Click! Clack! Click-clack!
There wasn't even time to breathe.
Like martial artists exchanging blows, black and white stones were placed relentlessly, filling the board in an instant.
Dragon versus tiger, evenly matched.
The match lived up to the proverb.
Both players abandoned all defense, unleashing a frenzied barrage of attacks, each desperate to tear the other apart.
Territories formed and crumbled in rapid succession, leaving the spectators breathless with awe.
"Ah, look at that move!"
"A Ghost Hand! A Ghost Hand!"
"He's blocking it like that?"
The match unfolded with breathtaking speed, each move a nail-biting test of skill as the tension stretched taut, driving toward its climax.
Truly remarkable. I never expected this level of skill. Even with my deliberate restraint, the match remains so evenly matched.
Zhuge Junggi couldn't help but marvel inwardly.
A prodigy is a prodigy, after all. To think he's even skilled at Go...
His competitive spirit surged, and Zhuge Junggi abandoned his initial plan to play casually, focusing entirely on the game.
Of course.
Damn it! How can he be this good? Who the hell is this guy?
For Zhuge Munhyeon, frustration boiled to the surface.
As time passed, he began to falter.
The broken house remained unrepaired.
The Large Group was about to be captured. What could he do?
If it was captured...
He didn't even want to think about it.
Who knew what that shameless bastard would say next? The loser should remain silent.
His hesitation slowed his hand.
It was then that a triumphant smile spread across Zhuge Junggi's lips.
He sensed victory.
The damned bastard hadn't even broken a sweat.
He couldn't lose like this.
Not like this...
Driven by desperation, Zhuge Munhyeon resorted to a despicable tactic.
Swish.
A subtle energy flowed across the go board, so faint that even Zhuge Munho, watching from behind, couldn't detect it.
Thwack!
As Zhuge Munhyeon placed his final stone, Zhuge Junggi's face paled. He had sensed victory and was about to counter, but now his expression turned ashen.
"A half point?"
"Wow! What a legendary match!"
"You fought well, even in defeat. To lose by only half a point against Young Master Munhyeon..."
He had lost.
Exactly half a point...
But he had been winning!
Unable to believe his defeat, Zhuge Junggi stared intently at the stones on the board, his eyes wide.
Then he noticed something strange.
Why is that stone there?
He knew the position of every stone by heart, remembering exactly where he had placed each one.
Could it be...?
Zhuge Junggi glared at Zhuge Munhyeon, his expression twisted with suspicion.
Even if victory was paramount, how could he resort to such a despicable act in the sacred game of Go, where strategies clashed in a battle of wits?
"Did you... move a stone?"
"What?"
"That stone..."
"Hmm, still a child."
"What did you say?"
"Well, at your age, you wouldn't want to admit defeat. Tsk tsk... Even so, trying to blame others for your loss when you were clearly outmatched is pathetic."
"..."
"You played well. It was a regrettable loss for you."
Zhuge Munhyeon abruptly stood up and turned away coldly. Zhuge Junggi glared at him, grinding his teeth.
After all, respect and hatred were two sides of the same coin.
The moment Zhuge Munhyeon resorted to underhanded tactics to secure victory, Zhuge Junggi's desire for friendship and his respect for Munhyeon vanished completely.
I can't accept this. Never... Just wait, I'll crush you someday. Of course, through Go...
📝 Translator’s Note:
You may notice that certain lines or phrases in this novel appear both in their original Korean (or Hanja) form and in English translation.
This is intentional — these phrases are classical idioms, divine titles, or poetic expressions that carry layered meanings.
To preserve their original tone and authenticity, the raw text has been kept for reference, while the English interpretation is provided right before or after it. This helps convey both the literal and cultural nuance of the original work.
but if you guys dont want tha raw for future chapters or my future other novels u can just text me on discord and say so discord name Mr.Penny